Today’s 32Red Sprint Cup betting preview as Richard Kingscote takes over James Garfield from Frankie Dettori: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
An exciting field of twelve are set for battle at Haydock on Saturday
THE feature race of the afternoon is the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock, a Group 1 over six furlongs for horses aged three and above.
STAR sprinter and red-hot favourite Harry Angel will aim to bounce back from an unruly performance at Royal Ascot in the prestigious contest.
1. Brando (12-1) - Kevin Ryan/Tom Eaves
Career-best form when just edged out in the July Cup, battling all the way to the line.
Couldn't reproduce that in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France last time out, but it's possible he didn't enjoy travelling over to France.
However, he could never land a blow in this contest last year and will need to bounce back to his very best to play a part.
Kevin Ryan on Brando
"We backed off him after his last run and freshened him up.
"He's had a nice preparation, everything has gone to plan. We're very happy with him. We're hopeful he'll run a big race on Saturday."
2. Donjuan Triumphant (18-1) - Andrew Balding/Rob Hornby
Produced his best performance for some time when fourth behind reopposing Sir Dancealot in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
However, he will have to better that considerably if he wants to come home in front here, and is current official rating of 112 is well below what is required to win a Group 1.
3. Harry Angel (11-8f) - Clive Cox/Adam Kirby
Brilliant winner of this race last year and if reproducing that then the rest of the field might as well go home.
However, he comes into the race off the back of an unruly performance at Royal Ascot, where he lost all chance after misbehaving in the stalls.
Trainer Clive Cox has been working hard to get him back to his best, and connections will be praying he behaves better this time. If he does, he's the one to beat.
Clive Cox on Harry Angel
"He wasn't just in tune to go to the July Cup which was a huge shame, but Haydock was logical after that," said Cox.
"I'm really pleased to say he's pleased me very much at home, over the last two or three weeks especially, and fingers crossed we can repeat last year, which was pretty special.
"The ground hopefully isn't an issue, I'm quite relaxed in that respect.
"My team at home have worked really hard with him and I couldn't be more happy, he's always been a bit fractious but like a lot of sprinters, he just wants to get on with the job."
4. Sir Dancealot (12-1) - David Elsworth/Gerald Mosse
One of the most improved horses this season, the four-year-old is going for his third win on the bounce after striking in the Hungerford Stakes and Lennox Stakes.
Both those contests were at Group 2 level and he will need to prove he can cut the mustard in top company.
Will likely be suited by the strong pace on the drop back to six furlongs.
Gerald Mosse on Sir Dancealot
"I really believe he's a Group One horse. I think if the ground is on the soft side that will suit him. That would be better than if it is too quick coming back from seven furlongs to six," said the veteran pilot.
"I think he might just struggle to find his stride if it was too quick, but I would prefer it softer and I think he would as well."
5. Tasleet (8-1) - William Haggas/Jim Crowley
Not been seen since May on account of needing soft ground to produce his best.
Finally gets his required conditions now, though his ultimate aim is the Champions Sprint at Ascot next month.
Has a lot of talent but fitness is a slight question mark.
Jockey change as Jim Crowley will now ride Tasleet, Crowley is the owner's retained jockey and the change in ground conditions suits Tasleet.
William Haggas on Tasleet
"His race is the one on Champions Day at Ascot as he appears to want really soft ground now," said trainer William Haggas.
"He was second in three Group Ones last year. He's only run once this year because the ground has been appalling for him so we've had to wait but he's ready to go and in great shape. I'm pretty happy with him."
6. The Tin Man (11-1) - James Fanshawe/Oisin Murphy
One of the elder statesmen of the sprinting scene has every chance based on his last two performances at the highest level.
Won't mind the soft ground and has finished third and second in the last two runnings of this respectively.
Needs to find a little bit more to trouble the favourite, though.
James Fanshawe on The Tin Man
"I'm not going to make too many predictions, but he's in good form going into the race and his races have been nicely spaced, so I hope he gets a bit of luck in running"
"You just hope you're near the pace because last time in Deauville (finished third in Prix Maurice de Gheest) we were away from the pace and he finished very well, but we were on the wrong side."
7. Eqtidaar (18-1) - Sir Michael Stoute/Danny Tudhope
Commonwealth Cup winner beat a very good field at Royal Ascot, but was disappointing behind Brando in the July Cup.
Still very lightly raced and foolish to ignore from such shrewd training quarters.
Had one start on soft ground which was a good second on reappearance.
Danny Tudhope, who was due to ride Tasleet, takes over on Eqtidaar from Jim Crowley.
Angus Gold on Eqtidaar
"Although he won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, he was still quite an immature horse earlier in the season.
"Sir Michael Stoute thinks Eqtidaar has come back to himself now. When Jim Crowley won on him at Royal Ascot he said the Group One sprint on Champions Day in October would be his absolute race.
"I am not sure the July Course at Newmarket really suited him last time out. I am not saying that is why he was beaten that day, but he is back in good form now after his break and Jim was very happy with the horse when he rode him the other day."
8. Gustav Klimt (18-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore
Been largely disappointing this season after showing huge promise as a two-year-old.
Best run undoubtedly came when second in the St James's Palace Stakes, but was unable to land a blow in the Sussex Stakes and then disappointed in the Hungerford.
Has bundles of talent but isn't straightforward and drops back in trip again.
Aidan O'Brien on Gustav Klimt
"We were playing around with the idea of bringing Gustav Klimt back to six. He worked on Tuesday and we were very happy with him.
"He is by Galileo, but he is out of a very fast mare."
9. Hey Jonesy (150-1) - Kevin Ryan/Kevin Stott
Outsider of the field will need to improve significantly to land this prize.
Only beaten two lengths by Eqtidaar but would be a stronger fancy if this was run at York.
Kevin Ryan on Hey Jonesy
"He ran very well at Ascot. He disappointed last time, but he seems in really good form now. It's a big step up, but the owners are very willing to let him take his chance and we're hopeful he'll run a nice race as well."
10. James Garfield (14-1) - George Scott/Richard Kingscote
George Scott is flying Frankie Dettori from Kempton to Haydock just to acquire the services of the Italian maestro.
His mount can be given a good chance on the form of his second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time out, a race that he probably should have won.
A very pacy horse, he'll be a strong contender if producing his best in retained blinkers.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright confirms Richard Kingscote to ride James Garfield as Frankie Dettori's helicopter will not be able to land due to weather conditions.
George Scott on James Garfield
"He came right back to form and some more last time. I think he just reset for sprinting and he'd had a break since Ascot. We put some headgear on him and a combination of those things saw him in his best light.
"It looks a mixed forecast and it will probably be on the soft side of good. It shouldn't bother him, he's shown good form with cut in the ground, the Acomb was almost a washout when he nearly won that and the Greenham was on soft ground as well.
"I think his preferred surface would be slightly faster, but I don't think we'll be using it as an excuse."
11. Sands Of Mali (22-1) - Richard Fahey/Paul Hanagan
Looked a star of the future when winning the Sandy Lane earlier in the season and bettered that form when a fast finishing runner-up in the Commonwealth Cup.
Needs to bounce back big time after flopping in the July Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest, but will love the conditions.
12. Speak In Colours (12-1) - Joseph O'Brien/Donnacha O'Brien
Did it nicely last time out in Group 3 company but a career best performance is required.
Shrewd trainer is not to be taken lightly but an official rating of 111 leaves him with plenty to find.