Harry Angel is runaway winner of 32Red Sprint Cup

Out on their own: Harry Angel and Kirby win the Sprint Cup. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Harry Angel overcame fears about the heavy ground blunting his brilliance with a stunning win in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Connections only gave the go-ahead to run less than an hour before the six-furlong QIPCO British Champions Series feature and the decision was fully justified as the Clive Cox-trained colt, who had won the Darley July Cup on his previous start, put up a top-class display to rout his 11 rivals.

Adam Kirby had the Godolphin-owned three-year-old up with the pace from the outset, before pulling clear by showing a superb turn of foot. The 2-1 favourite crossed the line four lengths clear from Tasleet, with The Tin Man a further length and a half away in third.

The trio are now likely to meet again in thye QIPCO British Champions Sprint on Champions Day at Ascot on October 21. Harry Angel is a best-priced 6-4 to triumph again.

Kirby said: “I’m a believer in a proper champion can win on any ground, but he’s so fast I was a little bit concerned. It’s a great team effort and all credit to Clive. I knew he’d won as soon as he picked up.

“He’s a machine. He’s got speed to burn and that’s not how good he is, he’s there now mentally and he’ll keep on getting better.”

Cox said: “It was a case of ‘déjà vu’ – we had the same decision to make with Lethal Force a few years ago and he hated the ground. He’s so good on fast ground, there had to be a chance he wouldn’t go on it, but he’s proved he goes on any ground now.

“It’s difficult to change gear on ground like that and to win by four lengths against soft-ground horses was super. He’s a champion on fast ground and he’s proved a champion on easier ground now, I’m so pleased. I hope he stays in training next year.”

William Haggas said of Tasleet: “He ran a very good race, but we’re going to have to come up with a way of beating Clive’s horse. We can’t just let him have an easy lead and put the race to bed. It’s clear we’re better on soft ground now so we’ll head to Ascot next I think.”

James Fanshawe felt conditions had not helped The Tin Man, who had been second a year earlier. He said: “He ran very well again, but the ground has blunted his speed. Ever since Royal Ascot, the main aim has been to head back to Ascot on Champions Day as he runs so well there.”