15:35 Haydock 09 Sep 2023
Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes
Group 1 | British Champions Series | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner £242,106 - 16 ran
close up, shaken up going well over 1f out, soon ridden and led, kept on well inside final furlong, always doing enough
mid-division, shaken up over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, went second inside final furlong, kept on but held towards finish
close up, shaken up going okay over 2f out, soon ridden and every chance, went third inside final furlong, ran on
raced alone in touch on stands side, ridden along over 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, shaken up waiting for room over 2f out, ridden and switched left inside rivals over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
front rank, pushed along to lead briefly over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, going okay when shaken up over 1f out, soon ridden, bit short of room when keeping on inside final furlong, ran on towards finish
prominent, shaken up 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
held up off the pace in rear, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, plugged on same pace until no extra inside final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, dropped to rear over 1f out, weakened
in touch, ridden along over 2f out, soon no chance with leaders, weakened
tracked leaders, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden along and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £16.72 |
| CSF | £459.32 (4, 12) |
| Tricast | £26,954.80 (4, 12, 15) |
| Win | £14.70 (4) |
| Place | £3.20 (4), £9.60 (12), £10.70 (15) |
| Swinger | £70.30 (4, 12), £102.10 (4, 15), £158.40 (12, 15) |
| Exacta | £583.40 (4, 12) |
| Trifecta | £12,469.10 (4, 12, 15) |
Expert Analysis
The largest field for this prestigious race since 2014 but it was not an especially high-quality contest by its own high standards, especially after the short-priced favourite blew out. The pace was quite strong, and all the runners came back in finishing speeds of 98.5% or less, though only a little slower than par bar the stragglers. Regional looks to fit into the Emaraaty Ana (rated 114 when winning in 2021) rather than the Harry Angel (125 in 2017) or Minzaal (124 in 2022) category among recent winners.
REGIONAL (115 here, 113 previously) was back at 6f following his fifth in a speed-favouring Nunthorpe and ran just about his best race yet, quickly away and always close up, leading for sure under pressure well over 1f out and holding on well despite tending to edge left late on. He goes with zest and his smallish stable has done a good job with him of late.
SHOULDVEBEENARING (114 here, 114? previously) ran really well, surprisingly well on recent form if not so much judged on his second to Little Big Bear at this course and distance in May, seeming suited by a strongly run 6f on a track like this in racing mid to rear before staying on well as others begun to wilt.
BELIEVING (109 here, 108 previously) had won listed races and a French Group 3 on 3 of her previous 4 starts, but this was better still as she travelled comfortably close up, having every chance in the closing stages until one paced near the end. She blew the start on the only occasion she attempted 5f and could be worth another go at the trip.
SWINGALONG (107 here and previously) is very useful and ran creditably despite being alone close to the stand rail much of the way, prominent and keeping on.
KHAADEM (105 here, 117 previously) was not altogether discredited, his Royal Ascot win a stand out among recent efforts, slightly checked a couple of times before keeping on despite edging left.
MILL STREAM (103+ here, 114 previously) shaped a bit better than the result, quite free close up and quickening to lead briefly around 2f out before fading. His form in France is better than this if not quite up to usual Group 1 standard.
ANNAF (103+ here, 106 previously) would have been right up to form, at least, had he not been squeezed out at the start and checked 1f out when beginning to stay on.
GARRUS (98 here, 112 previously) ran one of his lesser races, already beaten when hampered 1f out.
SAINT LAWRENCE (97 here, 112 previously) looked less than genuine, slowly away and rousted, though making a little headway when switched out from behind others.
ROHAAN (92 here, 102 previously) is not as good as he was but could still be of interest in handicaps, slowly away but making some headway from behind before petering out somewhat late in the day.
RUN TO FREEDOM (89 here, 115 previously) is proving inconsistent and might not have been applying himself fully here.
LEZOO (78 here, 107 previously) was outpaced most of the way.
RUMSTAR (77 here, 109 previously) showed up for a while mid-race before weakening.
THE ANTARCTIC (73 here, 109 previously) never really looked like getting into it after being steadied early.
SACRED (64 here, 113 previously) ran poorly with cheekpieces back on.
SHAQUILLE (61 here, 121 previously) is a quirky sort, if highly talented, and he seemed to down tools here after starting quickly (blanketed and restless in stall), leading until just after halfway, eased when clearly held. He should have won this judged on both his Royal Ascot and (especially) his Newmarket form.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:35 Haydock 9th Sep 2023
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Good to Firm | 12 | Minzaal | 7 | 4 | 9 5 | - | 23-3012 | 27 days | Owen Burrows (170 miles) | Jim Crowley | 7/ 2 | 1:08.44 |
| 2021 | Good to Firm | 11 | Emaraaty Ana | 6 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 337012 | 15 days | K Ryan (45 miles) | Andrea Atzeni | 11/ 1 | 1:09.10 |
| 2020 | Soft | 13 | Dream Of Dreams | 11 | 6 | 9 3 | - | 2080-21 | 21 days | Sir M Stoute (191 miles) | Oisin Murphy | 5/ 2 | 1:14.07 |
| 2019 | Soft | 11 | Hello Youmzain | 6 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 121-413 | 78 days | K Ryan (45 miles) | James Doyle | 9/ 2 | 1:12.79 |
| 2018 | Heavy | 12 | The Tin Man | 5 | 6 | 9 3 | - | 835-143 | 34 days | J Fanshawe (191 miles) | Oisin Murphy | 7/ 1 | 1:14.13 |
| 2017 | Heavy | 11 | Harry Angel | 8 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 21-2121 | 56 days | C Cox (192 miles) | Adam Kirby | 2/ 1 | 1:13.90 |
| 2016 | Soft | 14 | Quiet Reflection | 4 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 11-1113 | 56 days | K R Burke (100 miles) | Dougie Costello | 7/ 2 | 1:13.45 |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 15 | Twilight Son | 5 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 11-11 | 84 days | H Candy (166 miles) | Fergus Sweeney | 10/ 1 | 1:12.86 |
| 2014 | Good | 17 | G Force | 10 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 113256 | 15 days | D O'Meara (111 miles) | Daniel Tudhope | 11/ 1 | 1:12.95 |
| 2013 | Good to Soft | 13 | Gordon Lord Byron | 2 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 734231 | 23 days | T Hogan (307 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 7/ 2 | 1:12.25 |
| 2012 | Firm | 13 | Society Rock | 3 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 600-353 | 56 days | J Fanshawe (191 miles) | Kieren Fallon | 10/ 1 | 1:10.20 |
| 2011 | Good to Firm | 16 | Dream Ahead | 9 | 3 | 9 1 | - | 115-517 | 27 days | D M Simcock (191 miles) | William Buick | 4/ 1 | 1:10.36 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 13 | Markab | 14 | 7 | 9 3 | - | 05-1126 | 49 days | H Candy (166 miles) | Pat Cosgrave | 12/ 1 | 1:09.40 |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 14 | Regal Parade | 13 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 219132 | 21 days | D Nicholls (111 miles) | Adrian Nicholls | 14/ 1 | 1:13.74 |
| 2008 | Soft | 65 | African Rose | 12 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 33-3142 | 34 days | Mme Christiane Head-Maarek | Stephane Pasquier | 7/ 2 | 1:12.81 |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 16 | Red Clubs | 6 | 4 | 9 3 | - | 9-28434 | 16 days | B W Hills (170 miles) | Michael Hills | 9/ 1 | 1:13.11 |
| 2006 | Heavy | 11 | Reverence | 10 | 5 | 9 3 | - | 141051 | 9 days | E Alston (31 miles) | Kevin Darley | 11/ 4 | 1:15.78 |
| 2005 | Good | 17 | Goodricke | 4 | 3 | 8 12 | - | 172122 | 27 days | D Loder (92 miles) | Jamie Spencer | 14/ 1 | 1:10.87 |
| 2004 | Good | 19 | Tante Rose | 14 | 4 | 8 11 | - | 3747-11 | 57 days | H & R Charlton (172 miles) | Richard Hughes | 10/ 1 | 1:11.58 |
| 2003 | Heavy | 10 | Somnus | 7 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 581142 | 15 days | T Easterby (107 miles) | Ted Durcan | 12/ 1 | 1:13.49 |
