Channel 4 Racing Tips: A two-pronged attack in the Sprint Cup

Tony Calvin
06 September 2013

All eyes on Haydock for the Group 1 Sprint Cup on Saturday

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Now an incredible 91.9 points up (based on SPs) since this column launched ahead of the Grand National, Tony Calvin is on the hunt for more big priced winners from Saturday's televised card...

"Rewind to his soft-ground exploits last season and Soul looks a big price, even allowing for the fact that he could be detached from the early pace in stall 15."

15:50 Haydock - Soul and Gordon Lord Byron

We have been undone by an unexpected change in the weather on a couple of occasions recently, so I was originally going to hold fire until 7am tomorrow morning until I had a firmer - or rather, softer - picture of the ground for Saturday's Channel 4 races.

But, looking at RUK today and the overnight forecast, I think it is safe to proceed on the assumption that it will be riding at least soft, and probably heavy, at Haydock on Saturday.

15:50 Haydock - Soul and Gordon Lord Byron

With that in mind, I am going to suggest a two-pronged attack in the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup.

Back Soul at 21.020/1 or better, but I think you must have a saver on Gordon Lord Byron at around 5.85/1. It wouldn't surprise me in the least were he to go off favourite in place of Lethal Force. Traders, take note, perhaps.

You wouldn't be in a rush to back Soul at double his current odds on the bare form he has showed in two starts this season.

But rewind to his soft-ground exploits last season and he looks a big price, even allowing for the fact that he could be detached from the early pace in stall 15.

He posted Group 1-company figures, both on form and the clock, when beating Firebeam by four lengths over 6f in heavy ground at Newbury last season, and for every couple of millimetres of rain that drop from here on in I expect a point to come off his price.

I think you can excuse his two poor runs this season, anyway. You can ignore his run at Chester last time, as he was drawn 9 of 10, and fast ground didn't suit at Royal Ascot.

You simply can't leave Gordon Lord Byron out of calculations. He split Society Rock and Bated Breath on fast ground in this race last season, and has looked as good as ever of late, notably when third to Moonlight Cloud in the Maurice Du Gheest.

He won the Group 1 Foret on heavy ground last season, so his class and ground credentials are rock solid, and I can't see him being out of the frame, at worst, if you are a win and place punter.

14:40 Haydock - Tawhid

Smart Daisy K and Jedward are my two against the field in the opener at Haydock, and I was very tempted by the progressive Poyle Thomas in the 1m6f handicap, but for my other bet on the card I am going to row in with old favourite Tawhid in the 14:40.

It is 2-0 to Montiridge in their meetings so far this season, but I am convinced there is little between the pair, and the early betting suggests Montiridge is going to be around the 5-4 mark. The selection was isolated on the track when 1 ½ lengths behind Montiridge in the Jersey at Ascot, giving him 3lb, and then went too soon at Goodwood next time when beaten just over a length by the Hannon horse off levels.

He wasn't at his best in a muddling race at Newbury last time, but he absolutely loves soft ground, as evidenced by his Horris Hill win last year, and I think he has a lot in his favour.

Back him at 5.59/2 or better.

13:55 Ascot - Gabriel's Lad

Of the two races on Channel 4 at Ascot, Gabriel's Lad catches my eye. He would rate a bet at 9.08/1 or better.

He got back to winning ways over 7f at Newmarket last time, and I think he can follow up off a 4lb higher mark. The third there, Highland Colori, won next time and Gabriel's Lad had earlier had excuses for his previous two defeats, being poorly drawn in Ireland and possibly going too soon at Ascot.

That Newmarket win proved he gets this trip, and the clincher is that he won over 6f here in the soft last season, so he likes the track and can handle any ground conditions. Expect him to be delivered late.

I don't have any firm opinions in the Irish Champion Stakes, on RTE at 18:50, but I have heard that Kingsbarns has really been pleasing connections. He shouldn't be underestimated if finally making his belated reappearance, but it is a big ask first time up in this grade.

14:55 Kempton - Shavansky

There are no guessing games when it comes to the ground at Kempton, where Channel 4 cover two races.

The Group 3 September Stakes is a tricky race - though I think Royal Empire is a pretty solid favourite - but I am willing to take a chance on Shavansky at 17.016/1 or bigger.

As a 9yo, he may be the most exposed horse in here, but he only races off a 2lb higher mark than when winning this race last season, and that in spite of the fact that he was a back-to-form winner here last time, albeit over 1m3f.

He loves it here, 1m is his trip, is attractively weighted, and I expect him to run a big race. He needs to be dropped in, so hopefully 7lb claimer Shelley Birkett can get a handy position on the inner from stall one - he was drawn 16 of 16 last year - and get the breaks late on, just as he did last season by getting up close home by a head.

Rod Millman has his string in good form too, with a winner at Lingfield earlier in the week.