The certainty of soft ground for the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock has prompted Brando’s price to collapse in recent days and he could be challenging Harry Angel at the top of the market by the off. He has something to find with Clive Cox’s three-year-old on their July Cup form, however, though he was not suited by the way that race was run and Harry Angel (2.25) also has more room for improvement.
The memory of Harry Angel’s blitzing of the field in the Temple Stakes over this course and distance in May also remains strong. He coped with good-to-soft ground in the Mill Reef Stakes last season and, while going as soft as this is an unknown, 9-4 is a fair price for the July Cup winner to add a second Group One to his record.
Haydock 1.50: Dark Acclaim improved significantly to win in a good time on soft ground at Doncaster last time out, and the second and third both went in next time. He will be a tough opponent for Dee Ex Bee, a big disappointment at the Ebor meeting.
Kempton 2.05: Midterm has the talent to win a Group Three on his day but looked quirky last time out and Chemical Charge, third home in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, makes more appeal to follow up a recent win at Musselburgh.
Ascot 2.45: A fiercely competitive handicap, but Mjjack has form at track-and-trip when second in a valuable race on King George day and also goes well with some cut in the ground.
Haydock 3.00: Soie D’Leau was below form last time but is generally consistent and took this race from a 3lb higher mark on similar going last year. A repeat performance is on the cards.
Kempton 3.15: Brilliant Vanguard is in the form of his life with two wins in August, stopping the clock in a good time on both occasions. He should make a bold bid for the hat-trick from a 5lb higher mark.
Haydock 3.35: Plenty are in with chances in an open race, but Benbatl is a Group Three winner already and was not disgraced behind Enable in the King George last time out. Flaming Spear, an impressive handicap winner at York last month, may give him most to do.
Ascot 3.55: The form of To Dibba’s close second at Hamilton last time was franked when the winner went in again, and he is a confident pick with another step up in trip likely to suit.
Haydock 4.10: Great Fighter recorded two wins earlier in the year and is still on a workable mark judged on his good second in a fair time on his latest start.
