Betfair Sprint Cup Preview: Brando can put his name up in lights

A busy Saturday sees the sprinters take centre stage in the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. This year's renewal features a strong challenge from the classic generation - filling five of the top six spaces in the market. Their recent record in the race explains why, with four of the last five renewals all being won by that age group, before The Tin Man broke that trend in 2018. This year promises to be an intriguing contest, with plenty of intertwining form lines between the runners from Ascot, Newmarket, York and Deauville.

Commonwealth Cup winner Advertise heads the market for Martyn Meade and Frankie Dettori. Connections started the year with the hope of him staying further, but after disappointing in the 2000 Guineas, the drop back to sprinting has seen him win twice at the highest level. His performance in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot was a clear career best and, despite being beaten by Ten Sovereigns in the July Cup after, he soon got back on the up when taking the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. That was on par with his Ascot display, so he heads into this in good form, but he will potentially face the slowest ground he has encountered here, posing a question that he must answer.

12 Group Ones for Frankie Dettori this season!

Commonwealth Cup winner ADVERTISE triumphs in the Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest @fgdeauville

pic.twitter.com/hZUPHvi1nH

— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) August 4, 2019

July Cup winner Ten Sovereigns heads Aidan O'Brien's quartet and is looking to confirm the impression he made at Newmarket after disappointing in the Nunthorpe last time. The drop back to sprint trips has worked the oracle since he failed to stay the one-mile trip in the 2000 Guineas on his return, losing two places near the finish after travelling better than most for much of the contest. His run behind Advertise at Ascot would have dusted off the cobwebs, and he looked much sharper when winning the July Cup, fulfilling the promise of his two-year-old career. The drop back to five furlongs proved too sharp for him at York, though, never getting involved in the race, but the return to six furlongs here will be in his favour and promises to see him bounce back to his Newmarket form.

Ten Sovereigns bounces back to form to win the Darley July Cup! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/IZZnlonnwW

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 13, 2019

Fairyland and So Perfect could also line up for Ballydoyle, although having posted placed efforts in Group 1 races, they still have something to find to challenge the principals. The former was a good third in the July Cup before shaping as if amiss in the Nunthorpe last time, and needs to bounce back. So Perfect finished midfield behind Advertise in France, looking one paced, but posted a good effort to finish third at York, surprisingly looking suited by the test of raw speed. 

The Irish raiding party is completed by Forever in Dreams. Already a C&D winner, when taking a listed contest in May, she was kept fresh for a tilt at the Commonwealth Cup, and produced a big career-best performance to finish one and a half lengths second to Advertise. She hasn't been seen since, suggesting that this has been the aim ever since, and has freshness on her side. However, she is another that would have to prove that she could cope with the ground if it comes up soft, for all the progeny of Dream Ahead seem to appreciate some cut in the ground.

Hello Youmzain only just failed to reel in Forever in Dreams for second place at Ascot last time, a slow start not helping his cause, and he kept on well enough that day to suggest a prize at the top level is within his grasp. He readily dispatched a below-form Calyx over C&D in Group 2 company in May, and with winning form on soft ground, he could well have conditions that he has proved himself in, and he rates a likely contender.

Advertise is back with a bang and wins the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup for trainer @MMeadeRacing! The winning jockey? Frankie Dettori of course!#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/D1vrcP6feO

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2019

Charlie Hills' Khaadem turned one of the most competitive handicaps of the season into a precession when bolting up in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last month. He left the impression he benefited from stalking a strong pace in a big field on that occasion, and is unlikely to get such a scenario here. He has also disappointed when tried in pattern company previously, notably when not getting involved in the Commonwealth Cup, so he does have to prove himself at the top level.

Dream of Dreams heads the older generation's challenge in their attempt to kick the recent trend of three-year-olds, but he needs to bounce back after disappointing in the July Cup last time. Sir Michael Stoute's charge arrived at Newmarket off the back of a career best when only just failing to get the better of Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, but is best not judged too harshly on that, not looking at ease on the track, and his only previous performance on the July Course had seen him disappoint, too. Dream of Dreams should be much more at home here and, with no fears over ground conditions, he is well worth another chance.

Brando is a regular in the top sprints for Kevin Ryan and ran his best race of the year when getting to within a neck of Advertise in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. He challenged just under a furlong out after being slowly away, making good headway over a furlong out, his rider then having to adjust his stirrup before finishing well. Brando finished second in this last year and, provided he can back up his latest run, he can put up a bold show with slow ground likely to enhance his claims.

The Tin Man landed this prize 12 months ago, but will arrive here having disappointed on his last two starts. James Fanshawe's charge hasn't seemed himself this year, and has struggled to find his peak form, last seen finishing down the field in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury won by the German raider Waldpfad. That rival holds an entry here as well, but after finishing second in a Group 2 in his native Germany last time, he is another that needs to improve to play a part.

York Group 2 winner Invincible Army could be involved if bouncing back to the form of that performance, but he's been found wanting on his two previous attempts at Group 1 level, and is another who has a bit to prove at this level.

In summary, this looks a cracking renewal of this Group 1, with a very open feel, and the one that looks overpriced is Brando at 16/1. His form behind Advertise last time is strong, given he had a couple of things not go his way, and with rain forecast every day between now and Saturday, he can make the most of the likely soft conditions and go one better than last year. Ten Sovereigns heads the three-year-old challenge and looks next best, while it would be no surprise to see Dream of Dreams fare much better, too.

Recommendation:

Back Brando at 16/1 to win the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.