EMARAATY ANA can become only the second dual winner of the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (British Champions Series) (3.30pm) at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Group One feature of the Flat season on Merseyside looks one of the most competitive for some time with several in with a big chance of victory. But last year’s winner, Emaraaty Ana, looks to have a lot in his favour as he bids to become the first horse since Be Friendly – in the the first two runnings of the six-furlong sprint in 1966 and 1967 – to win the contest twice.
That shows how tough it is to land a second success in the prestigious sprint, but Emaraaty Ana may be up to the task.
Kevin Ryan’s six-year-old just prevailed by a short-head last year on good to firm going. That is his only success at the top level, but he looks like he has been aimed at a repeat.
The gelded son of Sharmardal has not won since –finishing down the field in the Platinum Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. But like 12 months ago he warmed up for the trip to Merseyside with a fine run in the Nunthorpe Stakes – last year he was second, this time he was third to Highfield Princess.
Stepped back up to six furlongs and at a track he clearly enjoys, he is sure to go well very well again.
Providing the predicted overnight rain doesn’t turn the going too soft, Emaraaty Ana will go very close to creating a slice of history with a second success in the Sprint Cup.
There are plenty of dangers with likely favourite Minzaal probably the biggest of them on his fine second to subsequent Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville last time. Trainer Owen Burrows will be hoping for a weekend Merseyside double with his beloved Everton FC taking on Liverpool in the derby at Goodison before racing kicks off at Haydock.
Others who might go close are Tim Easterby’s Art Power ; the Ralph Beckett-trained Kinross – although he is better over seven furlongs; and Hugo Palmer’s hat-trick-seeking Brad The Brief .
Hugo Palmer’s RAJINSKY can land a deserved success in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (2.55pm).
The six-year-old won at Ripon on his seasonal return for Palmer, who had not long taken over at former Liverpool FC striker Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire.
He has run two fine races in hot handicaps since – finishing third in the Chester Cup and fourth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. He drops back down in trip to 1m6f, but he should have enough to get the better of impressive recent York winner Soulcombe .
The Queen’s REACH FOR THE MOON , trained by John and Thady Gosden, can make it third time lucky with victory in the Group Three Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes (1.45pm).
A one-time Classic hope the three-year-old son of Sea The Stars has been second on both his starts this season at Sandown and Royal Ascot. This looks an ideal chance for him to open his account for the campaign before possibly pitching up at the top level in the autumn.
Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten NAVAL POWER can make it four wins from four starts, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, in the opener on Merseyside, the Listed Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes (1.15pm).
The Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained PONS AELIUS has been consistent this season with several seconds and he might be able to get his head back in front this time in the Betfair Handicap (2.20pm).
Others who can score at Haydock are the Jim Goldie-trained CALL ME GINGER in the Betfair Be Friendly Handicap (4.05pm); and Hugo Palmer’s HE'S A GENTLEMAN in the finale, the Extra Places Any Day With Betfair Handicap (5.14pm).
At Ascot Charlie Appleby has four entries in the 1m4f Lavazza Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3.45pm) and it may be best to side with FIRST RULER , a winner over 1m2f at the track in July.
Another hugely-competitive field lines up for the National Racehorse Week Handicap (3.10pm) and there are several in with a chance including George Margarson’s Ropey Guest , the George Boughey-trained Inver Park and course and distance winner Fresh . But a chance it taken that Willie Haggas’ GOLDEN VOICE – a winner three times this season – can land another success.
Ryan Moore will be riding for Godolphin with the aforementioned First Ruler and he may also land a winner for Sir Michael Stoute with CRYSTAL CAPRICE , who can land a hat-trick of successes in the War Horse Memorial British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (4.20pm).
Others who may score at the Berkshire track are Ed Walker’s POPMASTER – second in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot – in the Fever-Tree Handicap (4.55pm); stable-mate ROSE PRICK in the Victoria Racing Club Nursery Handicap (2.35pm); and the Keith Dalgleish-trained VENTURA FLAME in the finale, the Windsor & Eton Sea Cadets Handicap (5.30pm).
At Kempton Haggas’ recent York scorer KYEEMA may also bring up a hat-trick of victories in the Group Three Racing TV Sirenia Stakes (3.15pm).
Joseph O’Brien’s GEAR UP can win the Group Three Unibet September Stakes (2.05pm).
Others who may win at Kempton are Michael Appleby’s MOSTALLIM in the Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap (1.30pm); and the Johnstons' DUTCH DECOY in the Unibet London Mile Series (Final) Handicap (Series Final – Qualified horses Only) (2.40pm).
Wright Ones
HAYD0CK PARK
1.15pm Naval Power
1.45pm Reach For The Moon
2.20pm Pons Aelius
2.55pm Rajinsky
3.30pm Emaraaty Ana (NAP)
4.05pm Call Me Ginger
5.14pm He’s A Gentleman
ASCOT
2pm Connemara Coast
2.35pm Rose Prick
3.10pm Golden Voice
3.45pm First Ruler
4.20pm Crystal Caprice
4.55pm Popmaster
5.30pm Ventura Flame
KEMPTON
1pm Photo Bomb
1.30pm Mostallim
2.05pm Gear Up
2.40pm Dutch Decoy
3.15pm Kyeema
3.50pm Ludo’s Landing
4.25m Venetian
5pm Wonderful Thing
THIRSK
1.41pm Miss New York
2.16pm Royal Rhyme
2.51pm Spirit Of Applause
3.25pm Golden Apollo
4.01pm Leuven Power
4.36pm Golden Melody
5.11pm Molinari
5.45pm Tazaman
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.40pm Street Poet
5.16pm Bedazzling
5.50pm Queen Of Ipanema
6.25pm Sweet Fortune
7pm Amasova
7.30pm Admirable Lad
8pm Red Bond
SUNDAY'S NAP: Gale Force Maya (York 2.55pm)
