Haggas hunting another big prize with Almeraq

Almeraq is set to lead William Haggas’ charge in the Betfair Sprint Cup after the Royal Ascot hero was one of 13 confirmed for Saturday’s feature event at Haydock.

Although Lake Forest was not among the acceptors, the Somerville Lodge handler has left in Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up Division who could join his stablemate in Merseyside if the weather forecasters get their predictions wrong.

Haggas, who won the Group One event with Montassib in 2024, said: “It looks like being soft so Almeraq is a definite runner. We’ll leave Division in as well, but he’s a top of the ground horse.

“If the forecast is wrong then Division will run as well, but if the forecast is right then he will probably go to York for the Listed race (Garrowby Stakes) the following day.”

Michael Appleby’s Big Mojo sets the standard aiming for back-to-back victories following his win in the six-furlong sprint 12 months ago and he arrives in good form having landed the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

The four-year-old could have his work cut out to retain his title, however, with a battalion of up and coming sprinters out to steal his crown.

High on lists of likely winners will be Donnacha O’Brien’s Comanche Brave, a ready winner of the July Cup at Newmarket with several Sprint Cup rivals behind him, including Almeraq (ninth).

Coppull (Clive Cox) locks horns with the Irish sprinter again after finished a slightly unlucky fourth at HQ before stepping up to win the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury over seven furlongs.

Double Rush (Andrew Balding) could likewise take another shot at Comanche Brave after finishing eighth at Newmarket.

Wathnan Racing have enjoyed a stellar summer not least of which in sprints and their Division could be joined by two in the same silks in Paborus and Kind Of Blue.

Paborus (Ed Bethell) was an impressive winner of the Group Three Chipchase Stakes on the all-weather at Newcastle in June but was down the field in eighth when stepped up to seven furlongs in the City of York Stakes on the Knavesmire.

James Fanshawe’s Kind Of Blue finished strongly in second behind Big Mojo last year and looks to have been laid out for a return to Newton le Willows all season with a second to Elmonjed in the Group Two Minster Stakes in May one of just two runs this campaign.

The four-year-old Andrew Balding-trained Marvelman looks likely to appreciate the expected soft ground and arrives in top form having chased home Notable Speech over seven furlongs at York.

Mitbaahy (Charles Hills), James’s Delight (Cox), Aramram (Richard Hannon) and American Affair (Jim Goldie) make up the field.