Haydock Sprint Cup

While the possible clash of Enable and Crystal Ocean in the September Stakes at Kempton is a mouth watering prospect, the feature race on Saturday is the Group 1 32red Sprint Cup at Haydock. I am fortunate to be working for Racing UK at the Merseyside track and it promises to be a terrific race. Last year's winner Harry Angel hasn't been seen since injuring himself at Royal Ascot, while the very progressive Sir Dancealot bids to win his fifth race of the season having been supplemented for the six furlongs event. It was announced in the last 24 hours that Tom Queally has been replaced by Oisin Murphy on the Tin Man.

With more rain forecast in the North West, I think the interesting runner is last year's runner-up Tasleet. Beaten four lengths by the aforementioned Harry Angel, William Haggas' five year old will arrive a fresh horse having only raced once this year. Third behind the subsequent Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Merchant Navy in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in late May on ground which was too quick, fast underfoot conditions ruled him out of Royal Ascot.  The son of Showcasing's record at Group 1 level is 2022 and his optimum conditions are slow ground over six furlongs on a flat track. Danny Tudhope is expected to ride him for the first time and the final piece of the jigsaw may be the fact William could put blinkers on him for the first time - he told me in the summer they will be fitted for one big day and won't be wasted on a minor event. He makes plenty of each-way appeal at 9/1 with Skybet and William Hill.