The Haydock Sprint Cup - Saturday 6th September

This looks a cracking renewal with plenty lining up with a chance of toppling the favourite and I just feel this race deserves a thread of its own. I don't think I'm up to the task, even if I had the time, but would be grateful if someone could do the honours.

 

There's only one winner...Ex Ex Extortionisttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

 

I'll agree on the first 4 words Chelsea, unless you regard "There's" as 2 words in which I'll stretch to 5

 

This is definitely a race to oppose the favourite. Sole Power is a five furlong horse and even Richard Hughes cannot change that, no matter what hold-up tactics he employs. Once I know how much rain has hit Lancashire, I will be able to assess this on the daily thread.

 

Sole Power will stay and will win, he stays 6f as proven in Hong Kong! He has ran 2nd in a group 1 over 6 and tomorrow will win

 

G Force for me in this

 

I want a hero: an uncommon want,
When every year and month sends forth a new one,
Till, after cloying the gazettes with cant
The age discovers he is not the true one:

Those lines from Gordon Lord Byron pretty much sum up the European sprint division I'd say. It hasn't had a true hero since Lochsong in my view, and although Sole Power is beginning to look like the cream that's risen to the top of the sprinting jug, over 6f he's asking to be opposed.

One of Britain's finest poets, no mean athlete himself for a guy with a club foot, has been reincarnated as an Irish racehorse. Looks like a repeat victory here has been the target all summer, probably to be followed by another crack at the Prix De La Foret over 7f at Longchamp. His recent 2nd at the Curragh, by the narrowest of margins will have got him spot on and I'm happy to take the 6/1.

 

We also have the young pretenders Music Master, G Force, Extortionist, Cougar Mountain, Hot Streak and Pearl Secret waiting for their hour of glory. Interesting that young Oisin Murphy now gets the leg up on Pearl Secret. Maybe Frank Spencer will slip up and bring Hot Streak home at a big price.

I don't think 6 fur will be a problem for Sole Power as he just gets held up until 50 yards from the post. There are so many that don't have a great deal to find to turn the tables on each other (including Sole Power) that it could just depend on which gets the breaks and avoids trouble. Whatever wins I'm sure there will be one or two losers going in the notebook.

At a push I think I'll go for Sole Power, as he just keeps amazing me; but, in case this race has come too soon, I'll try Music Master as an alternative.

 

3.50 Haydock: PEARL SECRET 28/1 e.w

This is a classy animal. Ted Barron said he knew this was something special quite early on, but the fierce pulling nature and injuries have stopped the progression intended.

He thinks this horse is better when there is some give but he won on unfavoured good to firm last week and a flat 6f at Haydock on good ground should be absolutely fine for this horse. It gives the horse more time to settle and the slightly more even initial fractions might just get the horse to get into a rhythm. It is a very good test of Oisin Murphys ability and I think this fellow will pass with flying colours.

To quote the comments from a few of his races:

'pushed along and ran on strongly, promising debut'

'soon in command, comfortable'

'ran on well'

'in command closing stages'

'not clear run, never on terms'

'ran on, not reach leaders'

'stayed on to press leader, just held'

I think 6f might be the making of the horse and it gives the class the chance to shine through, similar to the likes of Dream Ahead from a couple of years back.

Sole Power on stats alone should be taken on at 6f and taking that horse out, it is a very, very in and out race and 28/1 with Coral each way 4 places looks a really interesting bet for a Group race. He will need to settle, and Murphy will need to show some patience, but this is a really nice horse. I think last weeks run was a sharpener and the win shows its well being.

 

Have backed Sole power on all his wins this year but all were over 5f and have to desert him today for an e/w on Tropics.

 

Extorniost wins tomorrow simple as. 14/1, get on. Saying no more until the " boom " at around 3 55

 

Sole Power will handle the 6F but Extorniost will nab him, will be good to watch, best jockey in england vs best jockey in ireland, SP is the form horse but Extorniost is due a big one, he will relish the step up to 6F, both will love the ground, Extorniost has the best draw.

Tropics prefers 7F and starts to slow for 6, will make late headway and come 4th/5th, G force should get 3rd but it will probably be some big priced thing as always, probably Casper Netcher or hot streak / pearl secret

 

Used to be these sprints were won by a different horse each time but some consistency has been achieved thanks to the achievements of flat trainer of the season Fast Eddie! Anything with Power in the name is cleaning up and today the great British public have another chance to see a horse with the best turn of foot we've seen here for many a year the incomparable legend that is Sole Power! Haven't had a bet on any yet but its surely between the 2 Irish horses isn't it? Will SP stay or will the globetrotter Gordon Lord Bryon come out on top against this field of glorified handicappers? Happy to cheer on either but I think Sole Power winning today would just be incredible training (4 Grade 1s in a row) and reconfirm Fast Eddie as the top trainer of sprinters around. But gun to head I think GLB will probably edge it.

 

I do think that Gordon Lord Byron is the most likely winner here. However, no disrespect to Wayne Lordan but he is no Johnny Murtagh who gave him an absolute peach of a ride last time and i want to take him on here. Sole Power seems better than ever however with rain this morning and the fact he has never won a race at 6f means i'm leaving him alone. If he wins then i am happy to watch him win and would be delighted if he could do it. I don't think Tropics is good enough to beat the best of these and although Cougar Mountain is highly promising, i certainly think his best days are ahead of him.

Im going along with Chelsea on this and picking Extortionist. Has ran incredibly consistently this season and has certainly shaped as though the step up to 6 furlongs could be ideal. He has been flying towards the end of each race and with doubts about a few at the top of the market i cannot see him being out of the top 4 and think he has a massive chance of getting his head in front here to cap a great season for the horse

 

In his Racing Post column, Richard Hughes has talked up his chances on Sole Power, a partnership that is unbeaten; however, this horse has never won over six furlongs and there is no guarantee of the strong pace that he likes and he is not carrying the horse – it is the other way round!

If Slade Power were running in the Sprint Cup he would be odds on but he is off Down Under so his five furlong specialist stablemate is the substitute.

Hughes also does his best to try and tell readers how the Old Borough Cup is going to pan out for Havana Cooler, but is it really that wise to publish your riding plans for all the other jockeys to read before the race starts? They now all know what he plans to do...

 

Sole Power's 5 furlong record is astounding. I would have loved to see the horse take a trip to Oz, where I believe he would have been a sight to see. I've only followed UK racing for about 5 years or so, and in that time, I don't think I've seen a better local sprinter. The step up to 6 furlongs will be a test for him, but there is every chance that his sheer class will get him home today. I hope he can get the job done and in doing so, shed once and for all, the tag of being just a 5 furlong bullet.

 

Gordon Lord Byron at his best you would expect to beat these, G Force got murdered for a run in the Nunthorpe and 6f might suit now but its a hard race for a 3yo to win and I think next year is his year. Es Que Love for me at 20s.

 

Well done smokey. Must be a decent 3yo

 

Cheers fellas