Have A Swing At Sprint Cup
What a competitive Group 1 Sprint Cup we have to enjoy at Haydock this afternoon. A big field of 16 runners take aim at this lucrative prize.
Let's hope for more good luck following Two Tempting winning and Gorak placing at Chester last Saturday.
Swingalong is back for another go at winning the Group 1 Sprint Cup. Last year as a 3yo, she finished fourth when racing on her own up the stands side rail. There is no question that Swingalong has progressed from three to four years old. She looked in need of her first run of the season at York in the Duke of Clipper Stakes. Next up at Royal Ascot she ran a cracker proving she stays well on a stiff course with a half length second to Khaadem at Group 1 level.
Last time at Newmarket, she found Mill Stream too good when beaten a half length in the July Cup. Swingalong is knocking on the door and hopefully this is her day. The ground is drying up quickly at Haydock so I think it will be on the good side by tomorrow afternoon.
Inisherin won the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and is respected with the ground to suit. Stablemate and fellow 3yo Elite Status is a danger too having won twice at Newbury recently. Trainer Kieran Burke runs four with Swingalong and Spycatcher giving him a very strong hand in the race. We back his 4yo runner Swingalong who is consistent. tough and most importantly very fast.
Haydock 3:35
1 point each way Swingalong 13/2 Boylesports else 6/1 Bet365, 4 places.
Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Best of Luck,
Nicky
Past Results
Click to see past Big Saturday Race Preview Tips results
The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.
History
The event was established in 1966, and it was originally open to horses aged two or older. It was devised by Robert Sangster, the heir to the Vernons Pools business, who later became a leading racehorse owner/breeder. During the early part of its history the race was sponsored by Vernons and held in early November. It was initially contested on a course with a sharp left-hand bend.
The Vernons Sprint Cup was switched to September in 1979. It was transferred to Haydock's newly installed 6-furlong straight track in 1986. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 1988, the final year of Vernons' sponsorship. For a period the race was closed to two-year-olds, but it reopened in 1989. Juveniles were excluded again from 1994.
The Sprint Cup is currently sponsored by Betfair.
Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes Winners over past 10 years
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Regional | 5 | Callum Rodriguez | Edward Bethell | Future Champions Racing Regional | 1:10.60 |
| 2022 | Minzaal | 4 | Jim Crowley | Owen Burrows | Shadwell Estate | 1:08.44 |
| 2021 | Emaraaty Ana | 5 | Andrea Atzeni | Kevin Ryan | Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum | 1:09.10 |
| 2020 | Dream of Dreams | 6 | Oisin Murphy | Michael Stoute | Saeed Suhail | 1:14.07 |
| 2019 | Hello Youmzain | 3 | James Doyle | Kevin Ryan | Jaber Abdullah | 1:12.79 |
| 2018 | The Tin Man | 6 | Oisin Murphy | James Fanshawe | Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde | 1:14.13 |
| 2017 | Harry Angel | 3 | Adam Kirby | Clive Cox | Godolphin | 1:13.90 |
| 2016 | Quiet Reflection | 3 | Dougie Costello | Karl Burke | Ontoawinner, Strecker & Burke | 1:13.45 |
| 2015 | Twilight Son | 3 | Fergus Sweeney | Henry Candy | Godfrey Wilson & Cheveley Park Stud | 1:12.86 |
| 2014 | G Force | 3 | Daniel Tudhope | David O'Meara | Middleham Park Racing XVIII et al. | 1:12.95 |
Best of Luck,
Nicky