The 32 Red Sprint Cup Stakes (2.25) at Haydock today looks to be a cracking renewal and it also looks likely to be a very wet one too. We can expect very testing ground at Haydock although it hopefully won’t impact on the spectacle with most horses, especially the market leaders, having form or breeding that suggests soft ground wouldn’t be an issue.
Connections of Harry Angel have said all week that he shouldn’t be unduly affected by the soft ground and the July Cup winner ought to take the beating, although neither he nor his stablemate Blue Point have been raced on a surface slower than good. Harry Angel’s breeding (sire Dark Angel) suggests that connections may not have too much reason to worry but it remains to be seen how he carries his speed on a testing surface if he takes front rank here. Blue Point, who was just as involved in the hot pace dual at Royal Ascot in the Commonwealth, made value appeal although it was a worry that his connections hadn’t been as effusive about the ground.
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Brando was third in the July Cup with his stable back to form and then he was deeply impressive when winning far more cosily than the winning margin suggested, having travelled all over his opposition from the rear of the field there before winning quite easily. A winner on soft ground having taken the Coral Charge last year), connections are excited for the rematch with Harry Angel from the July Cup and he ought to have plenty of pace to aim that.
Tasleet’s run was a washout there but he can be forgiven that and the impressive Duke of York winner (soft ground) was a close second in the Diamond Jubilee, when The Tin Man for the verdict by a neck. The Tin Man also disappointed at Newmarket when things didn’t drop for him but before he’d taken his second Ascot Group One in the space of only a couple of months and if one casts their mind back to last year’s edition, also run on testing ground, only Quiet Reflection could get the better of him. Conditions should be ideal for a run from the back of the field late here and he makes the value appeal.
Magical Memory has solid claims. The Hackwood Stakes winner bombed out in this race year but he was a good fourth in the Maurice de Gheest and should enjoy having plenty of pace to run at. It is a surprise to see Spirit of Valor here given that his improvement has coincided with getting fast ground over seven furlongs and a sound surface is also what Cougar Mountain wants.
My Lupton and Queen Kindly have perhaps found their level whilst Growl has been beaten on his ground starts this season. Kimbrella’s 6-furlong form is admirable, but all his group races have ended in defeat despite some creditable runs.
Advice
1 pt each/way The Tin Man, Sprint Cup, 2.25 Haydock (7/1 general)
