Templegate’s pinstickers’ guide to the runners and riders for the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock racecourse on Saturday, September 9
Templegate runs you through the contenders for the Sprint Cup at Haydock and gives you his verdict on the fast and furious six-furlong dash
I’M sweet on TASLEET in the Haydock Sprint Cup (2.25).
William Haggas has been patient with his flyer who showed his class when winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York earlier this season.
He followed that with a cracking run at Royal Ascot — and we can forget his modest effort at Newmarket last time.
He will relish the soft ground – which can’t be said about many of his rivals.
Jim Crowley’s mount should be right in the shake-up.
BRANDO 4/5
BRANDO could be the Godfather. He chased home Harry Angel in the July Cup at Newmarket when he was held up for too long before finishing well into third.
He’ll be happier on this more testing ground than his conqueror that day and was impressive when scoring in a Deauville Group 1 last time. Looks a leading contender.
COUGAR MOUNTAIN 1/5
COUGAR has a Mountain to climb. Ran well enough when third in the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh last time but this is a much hotter contest.
That was his first sprint run for a long time with his best form coming over further. The ground will bring his stamina into play but he’d be a surprise winner.
GROWL 2/5
GROWL’s lacking bite. Was well backed for the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time but came up well short in that handicap. He earlier ran a cracker when fourth in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.
So he’s got speed but has always come up short in this high company, including when sixth in the July Cup at Newmarket. Ground suits but needs a personal best.
KIMBERELLA 2/5
HE’S more like Cinderella when it comes to this quality company. Listed-class performer over this trip and some cut in the ground is fine.
He will enjoy this longer trip after being outpaced over 5f in the Beverley Bullet last week. This is his first crack at a Group 1 race on his 73rd run which doesn’t inspire much confidence.
MAGICAL MEMORY 3/5
MAGICAL could conjure up a place. Was no match for Brando at Deauville last time but has gone well over this trip and track before.
Won a Group 3 at Newbury two starts ago over this distance when the testing ground suited well. More rain would help his chances and champion jockey-elect Silvestre De Sousa is a good booking.
MR LUPTON 1/5
LUP could be lapped. Did well to win a Newmarket handicap earlier this season but has come up short in better races ever since.
Best form has come on a fast surface which he won’t get here. Wasn’t disgraced in Group 3 company at The Curragh last time but needs to make a giant step forward here.
Templegate's top tip for the Sprint Cup
Tasleet: 'Will relish conditions at Haydock and has the form to be in the finish'
TASLEET 5/5
TASLEET looks sweet. Came home last behind Harry Angel in the July Cup last time but that run was too bad to be true.
He’d earlier been in flying form when finishing second to The Tin Man in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
That followed his big Duke Of York Stakes win on the Knavesmire where he looked a top performer. He’s had a rest since that poor Newmarket run and will love the soft ground.
THE TIN MAN 4/5
TIN MAN has a big heart. Was snookered by the slowish early pace behind Harry Angel in the July Cup after a brilliant win in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He goes on any ground, although his best victories have been on a fast surface. Is good enough to win but his hold-up style may not come off again in this small field.
BLUE POINT 3/5
BLUE won’t do. The ground looks to be against Charlie Appleby’s sprinter who has plenty of ability but needs the going faster.
He was an excellent third to Caravaggio in the top-class Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when last seen.
The ground was quick that day as it was when he took the Gimcrack at York and a good contest at Ascot. He’s never run on anything without ‘firm’ in the title.
HARRY ANGEL 4/5
ANGEL could delight — if he handles the ground. Landed an impressive win in the July Cup at Newmarket last time where he quickened really well from a dawdling pace.
He put some top-class performers in their place that day and is likely to do so again. He has few miles on the clock and should still be improving. The only worry is the going.
He’s clearly a high-class sprinter but more rain would surely dampen his chances.
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SPIRIT OF VALOR 2/5
SPIRIT looks weak. Aidan O’Brien has tried him over different trip with his most recent win coming over 7f in a Group 2 at The Curragh two runs ago.
He then met all sorts of trouble in running at Goodwood last time so can’t be judged on that. This is his first run over 6f since his juvenile days and, while he relishes testing ground, he has a lot to find.
QUEEN KINDLY 2/5
QUEEN can’t reign. Richard Fahey has thrown a few darts at this but this daughter of Frankel looks short of this level.
She dug deep to win a Listed contest at Pontefract last time on the back of a bobbing defeat in a hot race at York. This trip suits but she hasn’t tackled soft ground before.