Haydock Sprint Cup Tips

Haydock's Sprint Cup Celebration comes to a sumptuous conclusion on Saturday afternoon with the Group 1 sprint contest being the headline act on a card laced with quality.

The Sprint Cup goes to post at 3.35, with supporting races including the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes (1.50) and the Old Borough Cup Handicap (3.00).

They race at Haydock on Saturday from 1.50-5.15 and our expert has a race-by-race guide to the action from the Merseyside venue.

The action at the festival will start on Thursday 5th September and conclude with the biggest flat race in the United Kingdom - the Haydock Sprint Cup. Check out our betting tips for the 2024 race below.

2024 Haydock Sprint Cup Tips

Haydock’s biggest day of the Flat season gets underway with Group 3 action at 13:15 with the bumper eight-race card also featuring the Group 1 Sprint Cup as well as a Listed race and some competitive handicaps.

The main event looks like a wide open renewal with no fewer than 16 declared including last year’s runner-up and fourth-placed finisher chasing the prize.

Our expert, Colm Doyle, gives you analysis and selections for all eight races on the card including a couple of value picks at decent odds.

13:15 Haydock - 1m Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3)

There has already been some market support for Regal Reality but there’s an argument to say he should be outright favourite for this contest and there could still be some juice in his price.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge shaped like a return to form was imminent when not beaten far at this venue on his latest appearance and this five-time Group 3 winner could take some beating if he’s back to something like his best.

Selection: Regal Reality

1.50 Haydock - 1m6f Handicap (Class 2)

This can go the way of Walter Hartright who has looked highly progressive this term. He won four on the spin earlier in the campaign and has hit the crossbar in two starts since. Notably, he wasn’t seen to best effect last time out when given too much to do in a small field and he can gain compensation with Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle.

Selection: Walter Hartright

2.25 Haydock - 1m6f Old Borough Cup Handicap (Class 2)

Plenty are in with claims but Epic Poet brings some strong handicap form into this contest. He went close at Royal Ascot this year and has run two belters in defeat at York since, the latest in the Ebor.

There should be more to come at this sort of trip and he could be the one to side with from the same handicap mark.

Selection: Epic Poet

3.00 Haydock - 5f Be Friendly Handicap (Class 2)

Another open contest but Shagraan is firmly on the up and he could be worth chancing.

Mick Appleby’s progressive three-year-old was a winner at Glorious Goodwood before running a creditable race in defeat at the Ebor Festival when the yard’s horses weren’t really firing.

The team are back in form now and Shagraan looks capable of getting back on track with the drying ground in his favour.

Selection: Shagraan

3.35 Haydock - 6f Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

There’s no standout in this contest and it might be worth taking a chance on Art Power bouncing back to form.

He showed that he retained plenty of his old ability when going close at Glorious Goodwood two starts ago and he was successful at Group 1 level on Ascot’s Champions’ Day towards the end of last season.

Selection: Art Power

4.07 Haydock - 1m Ascendant Stakes (Listed Race)

Luther has looked like a horse going places in two starts so far. The colt made easy work of his debut before he was beaten just half a length in Listed company back at that venue last time and he wasn’t seen to best effect in that contest.

Selection: Luther

4.40 Haydock - 1m Handicap (Div I) (Class 4)

Orbaan didn’t seem to handle the undulations at Ripon last time out but he’s shown he retains plenty of his old ability this season and there’s a suspicion Haydock will suit.

The hold-up performer should have plenty of time to get rolling on Haydock’s long straight and he’s dangerous to dismiss dropping down in class.

Selection: Orbaan

5.15 Haydock - 1m Handicap (Div II) (Class 4)

The finale is one of the more competitive heats on the card with the tentative vote going to Al Rufaa.

He made the frame on his last two starts, both on all-weather, and a return to turf could see him get his head back in front.

Selection: Al Rufaa

With an action-packed card kicking off Haydock’s fantastic three-day event on Thursday, there are plenty of opportunities for punters to have a successful week.

The 1m2f Class 3 fillies' handicap (16:50) and a pair of Class 3 novices over the mile (15:40) and 6f (16:17) are the highlights on Thursday, with seven races taking place in total.

14:10 - Amateur Jockeys' Handicap (1m3½f)

This represents a good opportunity for ATALANTA BREEZE to get her head back in front. The mare ran well over two miles at Lingfield last week but has done all her winning between 1m2f and 1m6f, so the drop in trip will be to her liking. She also takes a slight drop in class and a reproduction of her penultimate run, when second at Ffos Las last month over 1m6f, brings her right into this off just 2lb higher.

Selection: Atalanta Breeze @ SP

14:40 - Restricted Maiden Stakes (7f)

A half-brother to several winners, SIR PETER FOSSICK created a good impression on his debut when second over 7f at Epsom, only headed well inside the final furlong with the pair pulling well clear of the remainder.

At Goodwood last time out, his chances were compromised with his draw in stall 12 as it forced him to race much wider than ideal so a line can be put through that effort. This is a much easier maiden and he can get off the mark at the third attempt.

Selection: Sir Peter Fossick @ SP

15:10 - Nursery Handicap (7f)

Heavily backed for his debut over 6f at Nottingham in May, Owen Burrows' GREEN ICON couldn't get into things from the rear as they set moderate fractions up top, but he ran on nicely into sixth. Next time when upped to 7f at Chelmsford he made no mistake, travelling supremely before taking full control of the race inside the final furlong. He looks an exciting horse and an opening mark of 74 could prove to be lenient.

Selection: Green Icon @ SP

15:40 - Novice Stakes (1m)

William Buick and Charlie Appleby have teamed up to win the last three runnings of this contest in the familiar Godolphin colours and SILVER PEAK has a good chance to continue their fine run. The son of Dubawi ran a very respectable race when fourth in a good 7f Kempton novice last month and he has several entries for the coming few days, which would suggest connections are very eager to get him back to the track.

Selection: Silver Peak @ SP

16:17 - Novice Stakes (6f)

Recent York handicap winner Elmonjed won this novice last year for the Haggas team and this year the yard has an interesting newcomer in the shape of MAELSTROM, who will be ridden by William Buick. Purchased for 120,000gns, his dam was a juvenile 6f winner (landing a Group 3 with a Racing Post Rating of 105) and he is closely related to 7f Group 3 winner Esquire, who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Audience.

Selection: Maelstrom @ SP

16:50 - Fillies' Handicap (1m2f)

A really competitive affair and the dart tentatively falls on Roger Varian's ZENJABEELA, who will be partnered by James Doyle. Twice a winner at two-years-old, the daughter of Too Darn Hot was set some stiff tasks to start off her campaign this year and she nearly took advantage of a lenient handicap mark when beaten half a length into third at Redcar over a mile in July. She's a very keen sort but she again ran well when fourth to Canoodled in a valuable York handicap last time. That was her first try at this trip and there's more to come.

Selection: Zenjabeela @ SP

17:20 - Fillies' Handicap (1m3½f)

FUN LOVING made all when scoring at Leicester over 1m2f last month on what was her second handicap start and she had excuses when beaten last time when upped to 1m4f at Ripon. She was unable to secure the lead and she got a bad bump but still ran well. The first-time visor goes on for this race and she still has few miles on the clock.

Selection: Fun Loving @ SP

Haydock Sprint Cup - Day Two Tips

With an action-packed card on offer on the second of three fantastic days at Haydock, there’s going to be plenty of opportunities for punters to have a successful week.

Day two on Friday has some decent action, with the highlights being a valuable 6f Class 2 fillies' novice (14:35) and a good handicap over 7f on offer (16:20).

There are seven races in all at Haydock on Friday and we have selected our best bets for each of them.

13:25 - Handicap (1m3½f)

Trained by James Ferguson, PAPAGEI was strongly supported in the betting when hacking up by more than four lengths in a 1m4f handicap at Leicester on good to firm ground last month, and if he arrives in similar form he will be very hard to beat despite the 8lb hike in the weights. Whether the son of Masar will appreciate a little bit of ease in the ground or not remains to be seen, but he has a progressive profile and should continue to run his race.

Selection: Papagei

14:00 - Lee Thomas Christy Memorial Handicap (5f)

A very competitive sprint to try to solve here with a field of 14 set to go to post, but Tony Carroll's course and distance winner SECRET MISTRAL had a terrific summer and should run a big race yet again. The filly won here on her belated return to action in June off a mark of 65 and she has hit the frame on all three subsequent starts, most recently when second to Count D'Orsay at Chester in July. She has to have a chance here off the same mark.

Selection: Secret Mistral

14:35 - Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (6f)

Kevin Ryan's FLASHY DARK ANGEL can be expected to improve on her debut effort and play a big part in the finish here. The €75,000 Dark Angel filly was quite keen when fifth over course and distance first time out. Slowly away and after going right out of the stalls, she didn't settle and got an early lead on the near side, but she had no petrol left in the tank for the finish. In saying that, she finished second in her group and has had a wind operation since last seen, so much better can be expected now.

Selection: Flashy Dark Angel

15:10 - Arete Capital Foundation EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (1m)

BLUEANDTANGERINE has a penalty to carry after her Beverley maiden win over the extended 7f last month but the daughter of Time Test can take another step forward. She has run in some decent races, including when behind subsequent Queen Mary fourth and Listed winner Miss Lamai on her debut at Thirsk. There are a couple in here that warrant a second look, including Irish raider Shining River, but Blueandtangerine has achieved more than anything else in the field and might have the experience to just edge it.

Selection: Blueandtangerine

15:45 - Handicap (1m6f)

Once rated in the high 70s, GIFTED ANGEL has been given a chance by the assessor and handler Tom Dascombe has a decent record at the track. Second in a 1m4f handicap here last summer off a mark of 72, the son of Dark Angel is 4lb lower in the weights now and a reproduction of his penultimate effort when third in a better race than this at Chester in July would probably suffice. He has to bounce back from a poor effort at York last time but should be in the mix.

Selection: Gifted Angel

16:50 - Oakmere Homes Handicap (7f)

THAPA VC is a horse who needs to be produced right on the line because he finds little for pressure once he hits the front. Nonetheless, he rates a solid bet here. Receiving lumps of weight from a good field, he won narrowly over this trip at Doncaster in July and was a very unlucky loser under Jim Crowley over this course and distance next time, trading as short as 1.05 on the exchanges. Another good second at Doncaster followed last time and he remains of interest in his current mood.

Selection: Thapa Vc

16:55 - Fillies' Handicap (7f)

A winner on her debut at Beverley last summer, RIBBLE RADIANT has regressed since then and was beaten out of sight on her first three handicap starts. However, she showed a lot more promise at Doncaster last time without getting involved, beaten over four lengths and making only moderate late headway. The handicapper has dropped her a further 2lb and she has a chance.

Selection: Ribble Radiant

About the Haydock Sprint Cup

The Haydock Sprint Cup was created in 1966 and was open to a wide variety of horses due to the low aged restrictions. After 22-years, the course was upgraded to group 1 status and has been the top event at Haydock Park ever since. The race has been run across six furlongs since 1986 and has earned its name as the Sprint Cup in recent years. There is a prize purse of approximately £350,000 available to win, with almost £200,000 going to the winners.

In recent years, we have found the winners of this race have only gotten faster. In 1996, Iktamal became the first horse to run the race under 1:10:00. However, in the last three years, both Minzaal and Emaraaty Ana have broken the record time in this race.

Haydock Sprint Cup Celebration Racecards

Thursday

Friday

Saturday