Saturday 9th September 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard and back to the blog for Sprint Cup Day which is set to take place at Haydock on Saturday, I’ve got four selections to share with you which are all within races that are featured on ITV. So, as ever, if you are having a punt, make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
1.50: Superior Mile Stakes: We kick things off with Group 3 action in the Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock in what is a competitive-looking affair. I’m taking a chance on Zoology here in the Qatar Silks for Harry Eustace and Cieran Fallon, he hasn’t been seen since finishing second in the Jersey Stakes at the Royal Meeting back in June, but I still think he looks to be a potentially highly progressive horse. He also goes well fresh, and shouldn’t have any issue with drying ground, so he’s the one for me. Zoology – (9/2) (Win)
2.25: Betfair Handicap: It’s handicap action for the second race of the day and in what is another competitive-looking contest it’s an Irish raider I like the look of here in Denmark for Aidan O’Brien and James Doyle. It’s a rare runner at Haydock for O’Brien and even more unique for him to have one in handicap company, but this three-year-old ran a very encouraging race last time in the Melrose at York when second and looks to be a progressive one. I think he could well defy the five-pound race and go close again here. Denmark – (3/1) (Win)
3.00: Old Borough Cup: Moving on to the third race of the afternoon and it doesn’t get much easier as the Old Borough Cup takes centre-stage, which is another extremely competitive handicap. I’ve decided to take a chance on Forza Orta here though for the team of Rowan Scott and Kevin Stott, he comes in the race in form having won an equally as competitive handicap at York last time and if carrying that form into this race he could well go close again, that win also came on fast going. Forza Orta – 15/2 (Each-Way)
3.35: Sprint Cup: The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Sprint Cup which takes place over a distance of six furlongs. Shaquille heads the betting here and will be incredibly hard to beat if turning up in the same form as he has been all season, but, he’s even money in a big field so I’ve tried to find some value. I’ve done that with Run To Freedom for Henry Candy and Trevor Whelan, he was just over a length behind the favourite in the July Cup last time out and is very versatile ground-wise. He has some solid form in the bank also, alongside that July Cup second he also finished second in the Champion Sprint at Ascot behind Kinross last October. If he turns up in that kind of form again he’ll do for me at 16/1. Run To Freedom – 16/1 (Each-Way)
