Essential runner-by-runner guide to the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock

The Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday had been billed as a rematch betweeen July Cup one-two Advertise and Ten Sovereigns.

But neither will feature in the £300,000 feature despite being declared at Thursday's 48-hur stage.

Advertise will not run after scoping badly on Friday, while Ten Sovereigns will stay at home because of the soft ground.

But we are still in for a fascinating renewal. Here's a guide to all the runners.

Trainer: Kevin Ryan. Official rating: 116. Haydock form: 4102. Best odds: 9-1

Beaten half a length by The Tin Man in last year’s renewal and arrives in good heart this year after being beaten a neck by Advertise in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (won that Group One contest in 2017). The seven-year-old is capable of another bold show, especially with some give underfoot assured, but he will have to repel a strong squad of three-year-olds if he’s to become the oldest winner since Markab in 2010. Rating out of ten: 7.5

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute. Rating: 119. Haydock form: 1. Odds: 6-1

Looked a much-improved performer in the first half of this season when he won at Chelmsford and Windsor before failing by only a head to claw back Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot after tanking through the race in rear. I was sweet on him for the July Cup after that but he ran poorly, much as he did on a previous run at the track. Acts on any ground and no surprise if he bounces back. Looks the pick of the older horses in the line-up. Rating: 8.1

Trainer: James Tate. Rating: 114. Haydock form: 2. Odds: 14-1

Difficult not to be impressed by his wins at Doncaster, York (good time) and Newcastle this year but he’s twice fluffed his lines when elevated to Group One company – in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Prix Maurice de Gheest. It could be that Royal Ascot is not his cup of tea (also ran below-par at the meeting last year) but his surrender in France last time is not so easy to excuse. Ran well on his only previous visit to this track but others less risky. Rating: 7.3

Trainer: Kevin Ryan. Rating: 108. Haydock form: --. Odds: 50-1

The front-running grey must be a joy to own because he’s won or been placed in 22 of his 30 races. Not extended when making the most of a good opportunity at Chester last time but he’s had his limits exposed in Group company this year, including when fading to finish ninth in the July Cup and when put in his place by Invincible Army in the Duke of York Stakes. The most likely scenario is that he will add a pace angle but be found wanting when it matters most. Rating: 6.1

Trainer: James Fanshawe. Rating: 114. Haydock form: 231. Odds: 12-1

Fabulous servant over the years and has finished 231 in the past three renewals of this race. That record means he has to warrant a second look but the seven-year-old’s powers have looked on the wane this year with successive defeats at Windsor, Royal Ascot and Newbury. Apparently he returned home sore behind after his latest effort but a leap of faith is required to believe he can become only the second back-to-back winner after Be Friendly (1966-67). Rating: 6.8

Trainer: Dominic Moser. Rating: 106. Haydock form: --. Odds: 12-1

The German raider sprung a 33-1 surprise when landing the Hackwood Stakes on softish ground at Newbury in July, when he beat Khaadem almost two lengths and had The Tin Man well adrift. The runner-up has since bolted up in the Stewards’ Cup but Wadpfad’s subsequent defeat behind Royal Intervention on home soil paints a different story, while the third horse at Haydock, Keystroke, has also let the form down. His overall form points to him being up against it. Rating: 5.9

Trainer: Martyn Meade. Rating: 119. Haydock form: --. Odds: --

Is now a non-runner.

Trainer: Kevin Ryan. Rating: 114. Haydock form: 21. Odds: 8-1

Was having only his sixth start when third to Advertise in the Commonwealth Cup, deserving extra credit as he got a bit restless before the start/in the stalls and missed a beat at the start. Does not have much to find with the favourite on that form and, rested since, is entitled to be fresher of the pair here. Won the Sandy Lane Stakes over course and distance in May, despite usual habit of edging left, and also ran cracker at the track last year. Proven on easy going and looks a big player. Rating: 8.8

Trainer: Charlie Hills. Rating: 116. Haydock form: --. Odds: 100-30

Looked a sprinter out of the top drawer when running away with the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time off a mark of 107. That suggests he has the potential to be a Group One performer but he has to prove it. His previous defeats in the Commonwealth Cup (well-held but excuses made) and Hackwood Stakes ring alarm bells and any rain would also be a negative as he did seem ideally suited by fast conditions at Goodwood. Rating: 7.7

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Rating: 122. Haydock form: --. Odds: --

Is now a non-runner.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Rating: 110. Haydock form: --. Odds: 14-1

Showed a great attitude to edge home in the Lowther and Cheveley Park Stakes last year but she’s yet to add to her winning tally this term. Ran well when fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and when occupying the same place in the King’s Stand over three furlongs less (showing her versatility in the process) before finishing a fine third in the July Cup. However, she beat only home in the Nunthorpe last time and clearly faces a tall order. Rating: 6.2

Trainer: Aidan Fogarty. Rating: 112. Haydock form: 1. Odds: 28-1

The grey daughter of Dream Ahead (won this race in 2011) won twice in France as a juvenile last season (including on softish ground) and was beaten little more than a length in the Queen Mary. This year, she’s continued on the up and after landing a Listed prize over course and distance in May excelled herself to split Advertise and Hello Youmzain the Commonwealth Cup. No reason to think it was a fluke and given time to recharge her batteries. Rating: 8.9

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Rating: 108. Haydock form: --. Odds: 20-1

Twice made the frame in Group One races as a two-year-old (in races won by Advertise and Fairyland) and again reached the frame at the highest level when third in the Nunthorpe at York last time, albeit never threatening to get near the rapid Battaash. She had previously been put in her place in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and July Cup and her overall record of three wins from 13 starts points to her coming up short again here. Rating: 6.7

CONCLUSION:

Three-year-olds ruled in this race four years in succession before having their winning sequence halted in a heavy-ground renewal last year.

They look to hold another striong hand despite Advertise and Ten Sovereigns being ruled out.

Forever In Dreams and Hello Youmzain chased home Advertise in the Commonwealth Cup and have been given time to catch their breath, having previously shown their worth at the Lancashire venue. They represent each-way value at 28-1 and 8-1 respectively.

Best of the older brigade may be Dream Of Dreams, whose near-miss in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes makes him a player.

A Racing TV Day Pass gives you access to the home of British and Irish racing for one day with no contract for just £10/€10. And it's just £5 for the whole of September! Click here for more details.