Fabulous five who have shown need for speed

Quiet Reflection was all speed to win the Commonwealth Cup and is on course for Saturday’s Sprint Cup. Picture: Racingfotos.com

This year’s Sprint category of the QIPCO British Champions Series has provided plenty of thrills and Saturday’s 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock looks like adding another exciting chapter. Here’s how the division has unfolded so far.

June 14: King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot
Winner: Profitable (4-1; Clive Cox/Adam Kirby)
Mecca’s Angel was 6-4 favourite but beat only one home in the 17-runner contest, subsequently being found to be in season. Profitable, who had beaten her in a good tussle at Haydock the previous month, confirmed himself the most improved sprinter in training with a neck defeat of Cotai Glory.

June 17: Commonwealth Cup
Winner: Quiet Reflection (7-4 fav; Karl Burke/Dougie Costello)
A tremendously popular success as Dougie Costello, the former jump jockey, guided home the syndicate-owned Quiet Reflection to a length success for trainer Karl Burke, who was himself enjoying his first Series winner. Kachy, the length runner-up, would have given the winner more to think about had he not hung in the closing stages.

June 18: Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Winner: Twilight Son (7-2; Henry Candy/Ryan Moore)
One of the best finishes to any Series race, with about half a length covering the first five. First home, and scooping a first prize of £340,000, was the Henry Candy-trained Twilight Son, ridden by Ryan Moore. Fifth home, picking up £16,000, was Suedois. Small margins can make big differences in racing. Gold-Fun, from Hong Kong, was the neck runner-up, with France’s Signs Of Blessing third.

July 9: Darley July Cup
Winner: Limato (9-2 fav; Henry Candy/Harry Bentley)
The three Series Sprint winners at Royal Ascot – Profitable, Quiet Reflection and Twilight Son – featured in a glittering cast but the trio were firmly put in their place by Limato, who put up an electric display to beat Suedois by two lengths despite veering left late on. Known as Mr Angry at his stable, Limato left favourite backers smiling.

August 19: Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
Winner: Mecca’s Angel (9-2; Michael Dods/Paul Mulrennan)
A dazzling display of pace and power from Mecca’s Angel, who led travelling powerfully two out and crossed the line two lengths clear of Limato. Mecca’s Angel won in a rapid time – not far outside the course record despite 2mm of rain on the day – and in the process became joined an elite band of dual Nunthorpe winners.