Ante-post pointer: The Tin Man can shine in Sprint Cup

The 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock has been won by many top speedsters with recent winners including Dream Ahead (2011) and Society Rock a year later.

Last year’s renewal was won by the Karl Burke-trained Quiet Reflection and Saturday week’s running looks set to be another high-class affair. Here’s a guide to the leading contenders and a verdict.

Horse: Harry Angel

Trainer: Clive Cox

General odds: 6-4

Looked a sprinter out of the top drawer when winning the Group One July cup at Newmarket last month.

Proved he handles Haydock when lowering the track record in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes over course and distance in May. Has beat a few of his likely rivals already this season and is sure to prove hard to beat with the likelihood of more to come.

Horse: Brando

Trainer: Kevin Ryan

General odds: 5-1

Consistent sprinter who gained a deserved Group One success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time out.

Brando finished one and three-quarter lengths behind Harry Angel when third in the July Cup on his previous start. That was his first run after a short break and shows he does not have much to find with the ante-post favourite.

Horse: The Tin Man

Trainer: James Fanshawe

General odds: 8-1

High-class sprinter who is a two-time Group One winner. He was also second in this race last year behind Quiet Reflection.

Won the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but ran below par in the July Cup behind Harry Angel and will need to bounce back to form.

Horse: Limato

Trainer: Henry Candy

General odds: 8-1

Denied by Harry Angel in his attempt to record back-to-back wins in the July Cup, when conceding 6lb. Did run slightly below par in the Group Two Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time but will be there at the finish on the best of his form.

Horse: Blue Point

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

General odds: 10-1

Has been given a break since finishing third behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

He had previously lowered the colours of Harry Angel in the Group Three Pavilion Stakes at Ascot in May. Tends to get worked up in the preliminaries but there is no doubting his talent, although he will need to have progressed again to reverse form with the favourite.

Horse: Tasleet

Trainer: William Haggas

General odds: 10-1

Took his form to another level when winning the Group Two Duke Of York Stakes at York in May when equipped with cheekpieces for the first time.

A slow pace was blamed for his disappointing run in the July Cup where he finished last of ten but he had previously finished a close second in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot behind The Tin Man.

Verdict: There is surely more to come from Harry Angel, the July Cup winner, and he again promises to take plenty of beating. However, Brando is entitled to give him more to think about and The Tin Man cannot be written off. The Tin Man was below par at Newmarket but is certainly capable of going close on his best form and appeals at a general 8-1. He drifted alarmingly in the betting before the July Cup and was not suited by the slow pace or, perhaps, the track. It is probably best to forgive him that run and, at the prices, he is worth chancing to go one better than last year.