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Wednesday 1 September 2010

The Haydock Sprint Cup

Having been away for a few days over the weekend its good to be back at the Sprinterstogo blog helm.

Starspangledbanner looks set to contest the Sprint Cup on Saturday afternoon at Haydock after coming through his warm up gallop without any problem and Aidan O'Brien was happy enough with it, he looks like being ridden by Colm O'Donoghue and the 6f trip on the forecast fast ground should be ideal for him to continue his good run. He will of course come up against a competitive field and will face his old enemies Equiano, Kingsgate Native and Borderlescott as well as last years winner Regal Parade, however the latter looks very unlikely to get any cut upon which he relies.
Kingsgate Native has not cut the mustard since his win here in the Temple Stakes earlier in the year and its difficult to get exited about his chance. Borderlescott had a bit of an interrupted prep prior to the July Cup after suffering an injury at Goodwood and maybe he will be capable of a better show in this.
Paco Boy has been confirmed as unlikely to run and High Standing is another who would really prefer cut to show his best. Other than that there is not a great deal of depth to the race, however as we witnessed in the Nunthorpe literally anything can happen in these sprints and you can never write anyone off fully.
I will be back with a further look at the race when we know the final line up later in the week and I will doing the usual look at the ups and downs of the handicapper tomorrow evening.