Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup on Saturday has attracted a field of 18 with July Cup winner Lethal Force a firm favourite at around 5-2. Clive Cox’s grey emerged as a contender for Champion Sprinter when winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot but it was his performance in the July Cup that put him at the top of the tree.
Settled in front by Adam Kirby, he was allowed to dictate a steady gallop before quickening at the two-furlong marker and readily holding Society Rock and Slade Power by a length and a half. Slade Power went on to win a Group 3 in Ireland before completely missing the break in the Nunthorpe and losing all chance. He was allowed to come home in his own time once it became clear that his chance had gone.
Clive Cox also runs the three-year-old Restless Abandon who ran a fine race at Haydock on his first outing of the season when beaten only a neck and a head by Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit. He next ran in the five-furlong King’s Stand Stakes where he finished a close fifth behind Sole Power without threatening to land a blow. Heeraat was sixth and Swiss Spirit finished eighth.
Gordon Lord Byron drops back from a mile after scraping home in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. He has finished behind Lethal Force at Ascot and Deauville this season. The most recent of those was the Maurice de Gheest where Lethal Force made the running before being overhauled by Moonlight Cloud. Gordon Lord Byron was second to Society Rock in this race 12 months ago but has generally looked more of a seven-furlong horse.
Aidan O’Brien relies on 2000 Guineas flop Cristoforo Colombo. He was beaten by Reckless Abandon in the Middle Park last season and has not raced since finishing over eight lengths adrift of Dawn Approach at Newmarket. Richard Fahey’s Garswood is an interesting contender but his style of racing suggests that a bit of cut will be needed if he is to have a chance over this trip. Ryan Moore had to get to work on him from some way out to get him up on the line in the seven-furlong Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.
Stewards’ Cup winner Rex Imperator was just touched off by Sirius Prospect at York over seven furlongs and takes a big step up from handicap company whilst Hamza has finished runner-up in his last three starts and is held by Heeraat on Newbury form. Mick de Kock relies on Kavanagh who made no show at Newmarket. Viztoria has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Coronation Stakes and is another that would benefit from any rain that falls. Former Stewards’ Cup winners Hoof It and Hawkeyethenoo have not shown a great deal in their recent starts.
Lethal Force should win this if he is in the same form as Ascot or Newmarket. Odds of 5-2 aren’t particularly attractive and there may be better value in the each-way market. Hawkeyethenoo was unlucky in the Duke Of York Stakes and was not far behind Society Rock. Things have not gone his way since but he was not disgraced in the Stewards’ Cup and he is better than a 40-1 shot. Heeraat is also worthy of consideration at 25-1 having finished close up behind Jwala at York.
Hawkeyethenoo 40-1 Paddy Power
Heeraat 25-1 Paddy Power
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