Architect’s runner-by-runner guide to the 2024 Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Betfair Sprint Cup
The Sprint Cup (15.35) is the main event from Haydock this weekend, featuring Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin and plenty of other quality participants.
Here is my guide to all of the Sprint Cup runners still in contention at the five-day confirmation stage before concluding with two betting selections.
Thanks for reading in advance and best of luck with your punting!
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Sprint Cup Runners Guide
Annaf - 25/1
Likeable sprinter, who has won three of his last four starts and was last seen winning a Group 2 race in Riyadh.
Finished a creditable seventh of 16 in this race last year despite traffic issues, and given the form he’s in this year, there’s every chance he will improve upon that position. Interesting outsider.
Art Power - 25/1
Deservedly grabbed a maiden Group 1 victory in last year’s Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot on soft ground and performed with credit to finish fourth in the July Cup in July. Backed that up with a fine second in the Lennox Stakes but was well beaten at York last time out, and he looks vulnerable.
Kinross - 12/1
Dual Group 1 winner, and this classy sprinter went close to landing two more top-level races last year in Paris and at Ascot. Shaped well on his return at Newcastle when second but hasn’t looked at his best in two subsequent starts, and it might be that age is catching up with him.
The form of his latest third in the Lennox Stakes has been let down by the first (Audience) and second (Art Power) since, though, so a place might be the best he can hope for. Others are preferred.
Montassib - 14/1
Has taken his form to a whole new level of late, making it three wins from four starts with victory at Newcastle last time out when beating Kinross. This six-year-old could have more to come, but he needs to prove his capabilities at this level. Place possibilities, but for win purposes, he can be left alone.
Moss Tucker - 33/1
Superb campaigner for connections and landed a Group 1 race in Ireland around this time last year. This Irish raider has only had two runs outside of Ireland, which came in the Prix de l'Abbaye, but he did perform well in each renewal of that race and could surprise a few with a decent effort.
Shartash - 25/1
Smart juvenile when formerly trained by Johnny Murtagh and has done well since joining Archie Watson, winning twice prior to running well in a pair of Group 3s the last couple of times. That form leaves him with plenty to find here, though, and it’s hard to see him getting involved.
Shouldvebeenaring - 16/1
Last year’s runner-up and overcame traffic problems to win a Group 3 race in France on his penultimate start. However, he failed to capitalise on a disappointing showing from the market leader at York last time out, and this looks tougher. I can’t see him improving on last year’s near-miss.
Spycatcher - 20/1
Solid horse with plenty of placed efforts in Group 1 company and resumed winning ways in France last time out. However, he’s likely to fall short against this calibre of opposition and is best watched.
Twilight Calls
Very smart performer when everything clicks, but it’s been more than two years since he last got his head in front, and it would be a surprise to see him end that drought in this contest. Should outrun his odds, mind.
Bucanero Fuerte - 14/1
Winner of last year's Group 1 Phoenix Stakes remains the clear highest-rated runner in the field at 120. That rating puts him 7Ib clear of favourite Inisherin, yet he’s trading at nearly double the odds.
Has improved enormously since finishing a close-up third in last year’s Coventry Stakes and made a successful start to his campaign in the Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas. In spite of missing a couple of engagements in recent months, he is a contender.
Elite Status - 6/1
Unbeaten in two starts this year and turned in a career-best performance when taking the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes last time out. Has more to come and has always been held in high regard by his handler.
Will need more if he’s to succeed, though, given he’s 0-2 in Group 1 company, so despite his big jolt of improvement this term, a few others hold more compelling claims.
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Givemethebeatboys - 16/1
Determined winner at the Curragh last time out and came close to beating Bucanero Fuerte back in May but was below form when down the field in the Commonwealth Cup, so he has work to do with a few of these. Despite that, though, he represents a handler who is always worth a second look.
Inisherin - 4/1
Winner of three of his six starts and was impressive when winning the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup on his penultimate outing at Royal Ascot.
Slightly disappointing when only fifth in the July Cup last time out having been sent off favourite, but he impressed on his only previous visit to this course when scoring in the Sandy Lane Stakes. Could bounce back.
Jasour - 11/1
Needs everything to fall right to be seen at his best. However, his previous third in the Commonwealth Cup was a quality effort given he did plenty wrong and not much went right for him when sixth in the July Cup last time out despite hitting the front two furlongs out.
This race should be run to suit, though, and in the hope he doesn’t miss the kick, it would be folly to discount him potentially hitting the frame at least.
Kind Of Blue - 16/1
An appealing runner on paper who has won his first two starts and turned in a smart effort in defeat when fourth in the Commonwealth Cup in June.
His close-up third in the Hackwood Stakes and latest second in Ireland were respectable, but a new personal best is required to see him come out on top. For all that, he’s respected, given his trainer won this back in 2018 with The Tin Man.
Lake Forest - 11/1
Smart and improving sprinter and has finished second in both starts this year. He chased home Inisherin on his reappearance in the Commonwealth Cup and was only denied by half a length in the Hackwood Stakes last time out.
The stronger pace, the better for him, and given his upwardly mobile profile, he could just get the ideal setup to make another serious impact with those runs under his belt. Another to consider.
Azure Blue - 100/1
Won a Listed race on her penultimate outing but disappointed in the Nunthorpe last time out. Her record around this time of year is good, but it’s hard to fancy her on that latest showing, and she would be a shock winner being one of the outsiders in the field. Passed over.
Swingalong - 8/1
Speedy filly who has a tendency to outrun her odds in Group 1 races. Finished third in last year’s Commonwealth Cup and backed up her penultimate second-place finish in the Jubilee Stakes back at the Royal meeting when a neck-second in the July Cup last time out.
Her close-up fourth in this race 12 months ago is worth an upgrade as she raced away from the main group and she arrives into this race in even better form this time around. If any horse in the field deserves reward at the highest level, she does. Solid place claims at least.
Unequal Love - 33/1
Filly with a good win strike-rate, with six wins from just 11 starts, and landed the Wokingham on her penultimate start. She shaped well when a close-up third behind Flora Of Bermuda last time out but will need a massive career-best to make any sort of impact at this exhausting level.
Vadream - 66/1
Loves testing ground and has often belied her odds with some sterling efforts to her name, but the going will be against her, and she will need her sights lowered in order to regain the winning thread.
Flora Of Bermuda - 33/1
Likeable sort, who won a Group 3 race two starts ago and ran a fine race to finish fourth in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest when last seen. This is tougher, and she performed poorly on her only previous outing here, but she’s hardy and could outrun her odds. From a win perspective, though, others have better chances.
Frost At Dawn - 80/1
Done most of her racing in Meydan this year and far from disgraced herself in the Nunthorpe last time out despite only beating two rivals home. I can see her winning a decent pot for her connections, but it won’t be this one. No appeal.
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Sprint Cup Tips
This year’s sprint division is pretty wide-open in all fairness, so I’m going to take a chance on two runners at double-figure odds.
The first one being the Clive Cox-trained JASOUR (best price 11/1), who has caught the eye in a pair of Group 1s the last twice.
Despite being too keen and closer to the pace than ideal, he still managed to get himself to the front last time out in the July Cup before his early excursions told in the end, losing three places at the finish.
He should get plenty of cover this time, though, and he’s not far off Inisherin on form, so at the odds, he makes quite a bit of appeal.
James Fanshawe is familiar with this race, having won it back in 2018 with The Tin Man. Therefore, he should have an incline as to what he might expect from KIND OF BLUE (best price 16/1). He won his first two starts before stepping up massively on that form to take fourth in the Commonwealth Cup.
He’s since gone close in a pair of Group 3 events and is unexposed compared to most of these. He’s another that will travel into this contest well, and if he’s improved again from last time, there’s no reason why he cannot be involved. I like his chances.
