Champions Sprint Preview: High hopes for One Master on heavy ground

First published Tuesday, October 15

Heavy ground may inconvenience a few in the Champions Sprint Stakes, but it should play to the strengths of One Master, who proved better than ever when making it back-to-back wins in the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp recently.

The change of gear she showed to settle it that day suggests that the drop back to six furlongs won’t be an issue, especially with the testing conditions placing more of an emphasis on stamina than would usually be the case.

And One Master certainly has stamina in her favour. Twice this season she has finished runner-up in a Group 1 over a mile, first at this course in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in June and then in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket the following month.

One Master figures prominently on Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings, behind only Advertise, who heads a strong three-year-old challenge.

She's done it again!

ONE MASTER wins back-to-back renewals of the (Group 1) Prix de la Foret at @paris_longchamp for William Haggas under man of the moment @PCBOUDOT!

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/0fZaHxfPwV

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 6, 2019

Three-year-olds have won only two of the eight renewals of the Champions Sprint since it was renamed (formerly the Diadem Stakes) and added to this card in 2011, but it is two members of that generation who currently head the market in the shape of Advertise and Hello Youmzain.

Advertise had Hello Youmzain back in third when winning the Commonwealth Cup over this C&D at Royal Ascot, and, though below that form when chasing home Ten Sovereigns on his next start in the July Cup, he quickly confirmed himself to be a high-class sprinter with a comfortable success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time. That form just about sets the standard in this line-up and Martyn Meade’s charge looks sure to go close if managing to produce a performance of the same calibre in by far the most testing conditions he has encountered to date.

Advertise was ruled out of the Sprint Cup at Haydock due to a dirty scope, leaving the door open for Hello Youmzain to record a first top-level win. That represented a significant career best for Kevin Ryan’s charge and it is by no means inconceivable he could reverse form with Advertise, especially as he is proven with ease underfoot. Khaadem, who was a major disappointment when well fancied for the Sprint Cup, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained So Perfect, who has filled the runner-up spot on her last two starts in five-furlong Group 1s, add further depth to the three-year-old challenge.

HELLO YOUMZAIN makes all under @the_doyler to land the (Group 1) @Betfair Sprint Cup at @haydockraces for @kevinryanracing! 🏇💨

📽️ @itvracing pic.twitter.com/NDhVPQLXaR

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) September 7, 2019

The last two winners of this race, Sands of Mali and Librisa Breeze, both arrive with something to prove judged on recent efforts, but 2016 winner The Tin Man shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when second to Hello Youmzain at Haydock and cannot be discounted in conditions that clearly hold no fears for him (acts on soft going). Similar comments apply to fellow veteran Brando, though his recent efforts—when second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and fourth in the Sprint Cup—suggest that he is likely to be vulnerable for win purposes once again, while Dream of Dreams was well beaten at Haydock and needs the return to this venue to spark a revival in his fortunes, having produced a career best when chasing home Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Cape Byron went one better at the Royal meeting when landing the Wokingham Stakes, before adding to his tally over C&D with a decisive defeat of Donjuan Triumphant in the Bengough Stakes last time. He is not without place claims on that evidence, along with Irish raider Make A Challenge—who has been supplemented after making it five wins from his last six starts in a listed race at the Curragh on Sunday—and last year’s Nunthorpe winner Mabs Cross, who looks well worth a try at six furlongs having been doing her best work at the finish over the minimum trip of late.

The one who makes most appeal at the current prices, though, is One Master. She is entitled to be involved at the finish based on her excellent effort at Longchamp last time and looks overpriced at the 6/1 mark at a track that really seems to suit her run style.

Recommendation:

Back One Master at 6/1 in Saturday's Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot