Kate Tracey was joined by Callum Helliwell and Declan Rix to preview another busy weekend of action, which includes the Group 1 Sprint Cup from Haydock. Eight runners are set to go in challenging conditions, with the ground expected to be heavy for this six-furlong dash. Almeraq heads the market as he aims to bounce back from disappointment in the July Cup, while Wathnan duo Kind Of Blue and Paborus also take their chance. Marvelman and Coppull represent Andrew Balding and Clive Cox respectively, and last year’s winner Big Mojo returns to defend his crown.
“I’m with the favourite Almeraq. He’s a wonderful horse who I think deserves an awful lot of credit after that horror fall he took at York – it was a proper mother-and-a-father fall. To come back and win on his first start in the Cathedral Stakes, it was like someone had said a prayer for him. “Not only did he win the Cathedral, he then went to Royal Ascot and won the QEII Jubilee.
Tom Marquand said he felt a bit claustrophobic, but I love that he sustains his runs and has a good attitude. “He has a good, strong shoulder and I think he’ll handle the ground. He’s got plenty of form in his career on soft, whether he’ll handle heavy ground – we’ll see. I think you can completely forgive him the July Cup form as it was his first time going down a hill and the field broke, leaving him caught on a wing.
He ran too keen, got no cover and the ground was too quick for him. “If he runs like any of the horses the William Haggas team ran at Haydock on Thursday, he’s going to go very close as they’re in great order.” “I absolutely love Marvelman in this – bring on the rain! I want it to be an absolute bog by the time Marvelman gets there. We’re going to have another day of racing before then!
In the Park Stakes on September 13 last year it was a great birthday present for Callum, as it he absolutely gagged up. He ran a mighty race last time, having them all off it from a long way home when finishing third in top-class company. Keep the rain coming!” “I’m going to be with Big Mojo to repeat the feat from last year. I thought 9/1 was a fair price – although not as big as last year when he took full advantage of the draw bias.
He has a similar draw this time so I’m hoping it will come to the fore. Three runs ago he finished eight at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, not being beaten far whatsoever. Admittedly he was in the right group that day when the bias came to the fore and improved from his reappearance at York. The July Cup was no good for him, he looked a nightmare that day.
He was so keen and was hanging but it was much more like it at the Curragh last time, getting back to winning ways in a Group 3. Hopefully that’s the confidence booster he needs. Watch Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…
