Heavy rain in the south of England over the last two days did not reach Newton-le-Willows and the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday is expected to be run on good-to-soft ground at worst.
That should suit all the leading contenders in the betting market, including Inisherin, the impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, who let down his backers when up against older horses for the first time in the July Cup two months ago.
Kevin Ryan’s colt was coming off a busy run of races there and may have been freshened up by a two-month break. He does not have much in hand of his field on ratings, however, and this could be the day when Swingalong (3.35) finally gets her head in front at Group One level.
Karl Burke’s filly was touched off in both the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup and looks overpriced at around 7-1 to go one place better on Saturday.
Haydock 1.15 Cicero’s Gift looked ill at ease on fast ground at ÂGoodwood last month but he was seen as a realistic contender for the St James’s Palace Stakes last season – he was beaten eight lengths at 12-1 on just the third start of his career – and has an obvious chance to notch a first Group-race success on easier going here.
Ascot 1.35 The last two winners of the Victoria Cup over track and trip are in the lineup and Rebel ÂTerritory, who has had just one run since finishing four lengths clear of an ultra-competitive field in May 2023, makes plenty of appeal at around 6-1, not least as he at his best on soft ground.
Haydock 1.50 Lightly raced Master Builder post a new career-best when third in the Melrose at York last month and will be very hard to beat if his progress continues.
Ascot 2.10 The Reverend posted a useful time under a penalty in a novice event last time and starts his handicapping career on a very fair mark.
Haydock 2.25Epic Poet (fourth) and Oneforthegutter (third) represent the Ebor form and should be in the mix, but it may pay to side instead with the progressive filly Waxing Gibbous, who has an obvious chance at the weight on her form at 12 furlongs and could well improve further for this step up in trip.
Kempton 2.35 Kalpana is making her debut on Polytrack but made a winning debut on Tapeta in January and looked highly progressive when finishing nearly five lengths clear in a Listed race at Hamilton in July.
Quick Guide
Greg Wood’s Saturday tips
Show
Haydock 1.15 Cicero’s Gift 1.50 Master Builder (nb) 2.25 Waxing Gibbous (nap) 3.00 American Affair 3.35 Swingalong 4.07 Age Of Gold 4.40 Arkhalia Flynn 5.15 Al Rufaa
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Ascot 1.35 Rebel Territory 2.10 2.45 Law Of Design 3.20 Hosaamm 3.55 Tacarib Bay 4.30 Surveyor 5.05 Faustus
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Kempton 2.00 Symbol Of Strength 2.35 Kalpana 3.15 Kilt 3.45 Chesneys Charm 4.20 Ferrous 4.55 Assail 5.30 Duke Of Verona
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Thirsk 2.05 Bella Love 2.40 Mayor Of Maghera 3.10 Novamay 3.50 Hiya Maite 4.25 Rajindri 5.00 Haptics 5.35 Finbar’s Lad 6.10 Racingbreaks Ryder
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Stratford-On-Avon 4.12 Evenwood Sonofagun 4.45 Cavern Club 5.20 Nickelforce 5.50 Pak Army 6.20 Forget The Way 6.50 All Well And Good
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Wolverhampton 4.50 Supaspecialawesome 5.25 Prophet’s Path 6.00 Amestris 6.30 Dawn Awakening 7.00 Three Platoon 7.30 Liosa 8.00 Match Play 8.30 La Sonnambula
Haydock 3.00 In a tightly knit sprint, Amie Waugh’s 5lb claim might tip the scales in favourite of the ultra-consistent American Affair.
Kempton 3.15 With just four races in the book, Kilt is the least-exposed runner in this field by some way and he arrives on the back of a career-best on his handicap debut at Haydock last month.
