Top sprinters heading for Haydock Park

Mayson wins the Darley July Cup on heavy ground at Newmarket. Can he find the same level of form on much quicker ground at Haydock Park this Saturday? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

A cracking Betfred Sprint Cup, race six in the QIPCO British Champions Series Sprint division, is in prospect on Saturday as top class speed merchants like Ortensia, Mayson, Bated Breath, Strong Suit, Society Rock and Wizz Kid prepare to do battle over Haydock Park’s six furlong course.

A total of 18 horses have been left in the race prior to Thursday’s declaration stage, with Aussie star Ortensia, who won race five in the Sprint division, the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York 11 days ago, heading the ante-post betting at around the 5-2 mark.

Bated Breath, who at last seems likely to get the quick ground he craves, is second best at 4-1.

The Roger Charlton-trained sprinter took the first race in the division, the five-furlong betfred.com Temple Stakes, also at Haydock Park, in May and finished runner-up in this race last year.

Mayson, who won race four in the division, the Darley July Cup, has stood his ground, while Society Rock, who won race three in last year’s Sprint division, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, also has leading claims.

French challenger Wizz Kid, runner-up in the final race in the division last year, the QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, is also a likely starter, while Strong Suit, who has top class form over seven furlongs and a mile, is looking to prove that he can mix it with the best over sprint distances.

It promises to be one of the sprint races of the year, so get along to Haydock Park if you can.

Otherwise make sure you catch it live on Channel 4 and Racing UK at 3.25pm.