Adam Kirby celebrates on Harry Angel
Adam Kirby celebrates on Harry Angel

Harry Angel tops 17 runners entered for 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock


Last year's impressive winner Harry Angel heads 17 acceptors for Saturday's Group One feature at Haydock - the 32Red Sprint Cup.

Clive Cox's four-year-old is set to return from an enforced 77-day layoff having injured himself in the starting stalls when well-beaten in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

He was sent off the 5/2 favourite that day following a fantastic comeback from Brando win under a penalty in the Duke of York Stakes and this weekend return to a track where he remains unbeaten from two previous visits.

Slamming Tasleet by four lengths in last year's Sprint Cup was arguably the highlight of a stellar 2017 for Harry Angel and he could renew rivalries with 2017 July Cup hero Limato, who got back to winning ways on the July Course at Newmarket last time out.

Brando may also bid to reverse form with Harry Angel, while Group One scorer The Tin Man - third in this event 12 months ago - adds further strength in depth on the back of a fine third in France last month.

James Fanshawe on Haydock chance The Tin Man

David Elsworth's Sir Dancealot also features among the entries having been supplemented into the race on the back of Group Two wins over seven furlongs at Goodwood and Newbury.

James Garfield - also supplemented - heads a strong challenge from the three-year-olds, along with Commonwealth Cup one-two Eqtidaar and Sands Of Mali, who were both well held in the July Cup.

Speak In Colours is a fascinating contender for Joseph O'Brien and his father Aidan is set to saddle Intelligence Cross, Fleet Review, Sioux Nation and Gustav Klimt, who has failed to live up to expectations after his Group One-placed form over longer distances earlier in the season.

The remaining entrants are Donjuan Triumphant, Hey Jonesy and last year's runner-up Tasleet, who was hasn't been seen in public since his comeback third at the Curragh back in May.

Angus Gold, racing manager for Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "Tasleet has not been seen out since May as he had a little bit of a setback after he ran at the Curragh.

"However, he has been in full work for a while now and I know William Haggas is very happy with him. I have to speak to William and we will have a talk about the weekend. We do know Tasleet can handle easy ground if he has to.

"The horse is in good shape. Obviously, he hasn't won a Group One yet so is going to be up against it. He has been a great performer for us and we will see how he gets on."

Turning his attention to Eqtidaar, Gold continued: "Eqtidaar had a bit of a break after he ran at Newmarket.

"He is a big horse. I was talking to Sir Michael Stoute the other day and he was saying that the horse is really starting to pick up now. Although he won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, he was still quite an immature horse earlier in the season.

"Sir Michael thinks Eqtidaar has come back to himself now. When Jim (Crowley, jockey) won on him at Royal Ascot he said the sprint on Champions Day in October would be his absolute race.

"I am not sure the July Course at Newmarket really suited him last time out. I am not saying that is why he was beaten that day but he is back in good form now after his break and Jim was very happy with the horse when he rode him the other day.

"Any rain later in the week shouldn't inconvenience him. Sir Michael feels he is a horse for the autumn as he strengthens and develops. He could also come back next year if Sheikh Hamdan decides to keep him in training."

Sky Bet make Harry Angel their 6/4 market leader, with James Garfield and The Tin Man 7/1 ahead of Brando and Tasleet at 8s.

As expected, Blue Point will swerve the contest and wait for the Flying Five on Irish Champions Weekend.

George Scott on 32 Red Sprint Cup hope James Garfield

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