Ana holds on to thwart Starman in Betfair Sprint Cup

It was a day to remember for trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Andrea Atzeni as the duo combined to enable Emaraaty Ana’s sublime victory in the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup, Haydock Park’s most prestigious Flat race.

Despite having a hugely successful career, particularly as a two-year-old, the elusive Group 1 victory had eluded the Kevin Ryan trained sprinter up until now.

In a highly competitive 11 runner field, headed by July Cup winner Starman it seemed Emaraaty Ana would have to be at his very best to land the Group 1 honours and at his best he was.

Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, the five-year-old sprinter travelled well throughout. The decisive move came just before the furlong marker as Atzeni eased his mount into the lead, flying past the front-running Art Power. It was then that he was able to show all the battling qualities and top end speed that he has always threaten to show in so many previous starts.

The well fancied Starman, attempting to follow up his Newmarket heroics threw down his challenge late. He narrowed the gap with each stride, eating up the ground as they neared the line, but it was to be Emaraaty Ana’s day as the line came in time to see him win his first Group 1.

An emotional winning trainer Kevin Ryan told ITV Racing, “I’m delighted for the horse. It’s amazing. He’s as good a horse as I’ve trained ”

Winning jockey Atzeni added, “He’s a horse that everyone kept faith with throughout his career. I can’t tell you what it means to me to win another Group One, it’s been a couple of years since the last one. Things can go a bit quiet but it’s all about the horses and I had a very good one underneath me here.”