Tony Calvin: Keep your eyes on Watchable in the Sprint Cup

The Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday is about as competitive a Group 1 contest as you can get - 8/1 the field, and the top five in the market are all at least joint-favourite in a place somewhere - but no way is Watchable a 33/1 poke.

Back him each-way at that price with the Betfair Sportsbook.

As ever, the first thing to mention is the weather forecast for the area, for what it is worth.

The ground at Haydock is currently good, with an unsettled forecast for much of the week, but with no deluges expected. So while it may not be to the liking of fast-ground lovers like Limato, it really shouldn't present any issue for most of the 19 runners, and that includes the selection.

Now, I'll hold my hands up and say that I don't know whether Watchable is an intended runner at this stage. But after a career-best in the 6f 110yd Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest last time I certainly expect him to be given his chance.

Prior to that run in France, he hadn't hinted at any Group 1 potential. Despite some excellent efforts in handicaps, most notably when a four-and-a-quarter length fifth to Interception in the Wokingham (he is 3lb better off with the winner here), he had been beaten in all his previous four starts in Group 3 company.

But there seems little doubt that he stepped forward massively on his previous form when fourth to proven Group 1 animals Muharaar, subsequent Jacques Le Marois winner Esoterique, and Gordon Lord Byron (only a length in front of him but just an 8/1 chance here) at Deauville.

And while they were bunched up in behind, the exploits of those who have raced since gives plenty of encouragement. The fifth was only just touched off in a Group 2 in Germany next time, while eighth-placed Coulsty ran Adaay to half a length in the Hungerford afterwards.

It could be that the traders chalking him up at 33/1 aren't buying that run as proof of improvement given his overall profile - or maybe they think he is a doubtful runner - but a look at the Deauville video shows a horse travelling with ease throughout the race and only giving best in the final furlong to proven top-notchers and beaten only two lengths at the line.

I'll take my chances at 33s, thanks.

He actually has a similar profile to the stable's G Force coming into this race last season, and the 2014 winner can't be ruled out here.

But that is the case with the vast majority of these, as I stated earlier, as this race has tremendous depth but not a stand-out performer.

The Old Borough Cup is another Saturday race at Haydock that ante-post punters have to focus on and it is no less competitive than the main prize. Indeed, this is also an 8/1 the field race.

Mark Johnston has won this race three times in the last nine years and he has an obvious chance with Polarisation, who has somewhere found about a stone worth of improvement to win the Melrose at York and follow up at Hamilton last time.

Connections of Satellite will be hoping for rain for their horse, who finally delivered in the mud at Newbury last time and remains a well-handicapped horse.

But nothing is screaming out at me at the prices, and I'm content to revisit this race in my Saturday tips column, published on Friday.


Recommended Antepost Bet
Back Watchable at 33/1 each-way for the Haydock Sprint Cup on Saturday (Sportsbook)