Sprint Cup day World Pool preview: a tip for every race at Haydock

Nic Doggett provides a race-by-race guide to Saturday's action at Haydock, with World Pool in operation for the full card.As a collaboration of global Totes, World Pool enables bettors from all over the globe to bet into a single pool, the result being enormous liquidity, and a multi-million pound betting experience. Due to the dynamic nature of the pool, customers can receive higher pay outs than they would receive with bookmakers. In the UK, the Tote operates Tote Guarantee which means the UK and Irish pools will always match or exceed the industry Starting Price (SP) on Win bets. 

Karl Burke bids for a third successive win in this 1600m (8f) contest so Hankelow – who shaped better than the distance beaten last time – is respected, but this race should be set up perfectly for NEEDLE MATCH. He has looked a work in progress in all three starts this season but will have no problem with this ground and the strong tempo of this race should suit more than when a running-on second to Isaac Newton at Leopardstown last time. The progressive King Power pair Fondo Blanco and The Lost King are respected, but this is a step up for both. 

A 1600m (8f) race won by superstar Bow Echo 12 months ago; FIRST LAW is the only one in the field with that sort of potential at this stage. He did most things wrong on debut at Sandown last month but was still able to overcome a similarly exciting newcomer who has since franked the form with a strong effort at Goodwood. He can win this before heading to the Royal Lodge and/or Dewhurst. Rocket Boy looked in need of further when staying on well at Salisbury, but the soft ground could help make this enough of a test, so he looks the one for the forecast ahead of smooth-travelling Goodwood winner Rafe's Da Man who may prefer quicker going. 

It's interesting that Clifford Lee jumps off impressive Carlisle winner Asia Force to ride York second Galilean Quality for the first time since May, but a rise in the weights at a course where coming from off the pace isn't always easy makes life tough in this terrific 2800m (14f) handicap. MYTHICAL BAY was behind Galilean Quality last time but had previously looked very progressive and should be suited by this speed-favouring track. Bridge Of Eagles has long shaped as if a greater examination of his stamina would suit so could feasibly improve now stepped up in distance. 

Aegean Prince shaped as if this 2800m (14f) distance would suit when last seen in October, so commands plenty of respect, along with the William Haggas fillies Finalise and Kissmehoneyhoney who should both relish this test and represent a yard that has won two of the last three renewals. However, Ian Williams is a wily trainer who knows what it takes to win these staying events (won this in 2018 and 2019) and has a good candidate in HERMETIC. The lightly-weighted grey was bought from France in the winter and has shaped as if well-handicapped on recent starts, just failing to last home over 3200m (16f). He drops in distance here and is fancied to gain a first British win. 

This 1200m (6f) Group One hasn't been a happy hunting ground for favourite backers of late, with four double-figure priced winners in the last five seasons, but market leader ALMERAQ looks likely to bounce back now tackling soft ground. The Jubilee Stakes winner has been given a nice break to get over his July Cup flop and prepare for an autumn campaign which can get back on track here. Last year's one-two Big Mojo and Kind Of Blue are respected, with both having also had this as a target for some time, while recent winner Coppull is unraced on slower than good but his dam won on soft ground at this venue and sire was very much at home on this track, so he's respected, too. 

Recent winner Trilby still looks to have more to offer, but his best performances have come on testing tracks off a good gallop, and he might not get either here in this 1000m (5f) sprint. MARCHING MAC appears to be the only confirmed front-runner in the field, and he's fancied to be hard to peg back with ground conditions in his favour as he tries cheekpieces for the first time. Jer Batt should be fit now, so looks a big danger, along with Epsom 'Dash' winner Arklow Lad and recent Yarmouth runner-up Elara May.  

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Last year's winner Ata Rangi is respected as he bids to land another course success, but Tim Easterby's horses are flying so BRIGHTON BOY gets the nod in this strong 1400m (7f) handicap. The four-year-old has a good record when the ground is softer than good and should relish this tight track given his wins have come at Thirsk, Chester and York. Rhoscolyn belatedly bounced back to form at Epsom last time and joins course winners Montezin, Korker and King Of Thunder on the shortlist. This ground should suit Darkness more than at Goodwood last weekend, but he ideally needs a very strong pace to chase and might not get that here. 

A tricky 1600m (8f) handicap to finish with. The longer distance should suit CAIM who was asked a very stiff question at York last time but is still of interest in handicaps given her two-year-old form. Slower ground won't be an issue for Crown Office who bumped into a good one at Nottingham last time, while Jungle Ruler and Final Night have slightly more frustrating profiles. Of more interest are Military Leader, despite a rise in the weights for his Thirsk romp, and The Sweet Escape who has won three of his last four but all on quicker ground at courses more demanding finishes.