Tipping / Timeform / 04 September 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

Sixteen go to post for the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup. Timeform rate their chances..

Barney Mcgrew gained a Group 3 win at Newcastle in June, making all against the favoured rail, but that is his only high point of an otherwise disappointing campaign. He's not up to this class even if he is on a going day.

Borderlescott is a high-class sprinter, winner of the Nunthorpe in 2008 and 2009. He got injured (in winning Group 2 at Goodwood) in the build-up to latest Nunthorpe renewal, in which he was only sixth. There's a question mark over him for now.

Doncaster Rover has raised his game this year (over 6f/7f), but only has one win to show for it, in listed company at Newmarket last time. He's likely to be taken off his feet at this level.

Fullandby is a former top sprint handicapper, but age has caught up with him this year. He's way out of his depth here.

Genki is a classy handicapper, who had excuses in the Wokingham and Stewards' Cup (injured muscles) either side of a minor event win over this C&D. He is a lively outsider, having often looked to be up to Group standard.

Kingsgate Native is a top-notch sprinter on his day, and was on song when winning the Temple (beat Equiano, Borderlescott third) on this track. He's become increasingly moody, though, and was well beaten in the Nunthorpe last time.

Markab is a front runner who has taken his form to a new level this year, winning a Group 3 at the Curragh prior to an excellent second in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot. He wasn't himself last time, but has been freshened up since.

Prime Defender was in the form of his life in the spring, winning the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes (Starspangledbanner fifth). He has been put in his place by that rival (amongst others) since, and is likely to fall short again.

Regal Parade won this race in 2009, and has been just as good when conditions have allowed this year, successful at Newbury and Deauville (Group 1) the last twice. However, the drying ground is against him.

Sir Gerry was resurgent for John Best in the first half of the season, winning twice at 6f, including in a listed race at Salisbury in June. He hasn't been in the same form lately, and has a mountain to climb in this grade.

Starspangledbanner is an ex-Australian who has proved Europe's leading sprinter this summer, completing a Group 1 double of the Golden Jubilee and the July Cup, before finding the Nunthorpe just too sharp. He's the one to beat back over 6f.

Iver Bridge Lad was a smart 2-y-o, but has found winning elusive in sprint handicap company in 2010. He will be well out of his comfort zone in this league.

Our Jonathan is a Group-winning sprinter at 2 yrs. He hasn't been the same in just two starts (4 months apart) this season, and faces a stiff task even if he does bounce back.

Serious Attitude was unbeaten at 2 yrs, rounding off the year with a Group 1 win at Newmarket. She also won a Group 3 at York in 2009, but has been found out at the top level this season, last in the July Cup on her latest start.

Lady Of The Desert was one of the leading juvenile fillies last year at 5f/6f. It hasn't worked out for her this term in Group 1 company over longer trips, but she could prove a different proposition now back sprinting.

Rainfall started her career with a bang this season, winning the Jersey at Royal Ascot on just her third run. She has held her own in Group 1 events at 1m since, but it's doubtful she'll have the speed to cope at this trip.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Markab 2. Starspangledbanner 3. Genki

Timeform View:
Starspangledbanner already has strong claim to be champion sprinter, but he's not unbeatable, as has been proved twice at York. This course and distance will be more up his street, but at this stage of the season, after his series of big efforts, it could pay to take him on with the fresher Markab, who is hard to peg back once rolling. The surprise package may be Genki.

Tags: Genki, Markab, Starspangledbanner, Timeform