Haydock: Best Bets for Sprint Cup Saturday
Haydock takes centre stage on the racing front this coming Saturday as the three-day Sprint Cup meeting draws to a close. Thursday and Friday consist of low-key handicap and Novice affairs, but Day 3 sees the action move up several notches, with the eight-race card lit up by two Group class events and a selection of quality handicap affairs.
Here, we pick out our four best bets from what promises to be an entertaining afternoon on Merseyside, including our pick for the Group 1 Sprint Cup feature.
1:15 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes
The opening race on the card looks vulnerable to an improving sort, and the one to catch the eye is the Galileo colt, Prague. Hailing from the Dylan Cunha operation, this four-year-old is the most likely to take a step forward on just his fourth outing. Looking in need of a drop down in distance in his two most recent outings, he gets that here and may prove tough to peg back in the first-time tongue tie.
- Recommended Bet Prague each way @ 10/1 with bet365
1:50 Betfair Plays Different Handicap
Operating at a 27% strike rate over the past fortnight, David Menusier is ticking along nicely at present. Take the Sussex-based Frenchman to strike in this event for the stayers with his Mastercraftsman colt, Master Builder. Last sighted finishing third in the Melrose Handicap at York on good to firm ground, the way in which he finished that race strongly suggested a stiffer test would suit. He’s up 3lb for that handicap debut but remains unexposed as a stayer and should relish the slower conditions.
- Recommended Bet Master Builder to Win @ 4/1 with bet365
2:25 Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap
Oneforthegutter and Epic Poet finished third and fourth in the Ebor last time and boast strong form claims. However, this is a pretty quick turnaround from that tough contest, which puts us off at the prices. With four places to play for, take a chance on the Hugo Palmer-trained Rajinsky. Now 5lb below his career-high rating, he’s a six-time winner over this trip or further and handles all going. An absence of 405 days is a concern, but his record shows form figures of 134111 following a break of 80 days or more, including a win following a 389-day break.
- Recommended Bet Rajinsky each way @ 40/1 with BetFred
3:35 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes
Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin tops the market in the feature event, having shown a liking for the track when winning the Sandy Lane Stakes here in May. However, he disappointed on his first crack at the older horses in the July Cup and is too short for our liking.
The one to be on is the Mick Appleby-trained Annaf. Appleby is enjoying a fine time with his sprinters this year and could strike again with this son of Champion Sprinter Muhaarar. Last sighted winning a hugely valuable 7f event in Riyadh, he returns for a second crack at this prize, having finished seventh in the 2023 edition. He travelled as well as anything 2f from home that day, only to be repeatedly blocked in his run - doing well to go down by 3½l. Granted a clear passage this year, he looks like a solid value bet to hit the frame.
- Recommended Bet Annaf each way @ 16/1 with bet365
