Betfred Sprint Cup Betting Preview

The forty-fourth running of the Sprint Cup takes centre stage at Haydock Park on Saturday. Aiden O’Brien’s talented colt Starspangledbanner heads the market at 7/4 with race sponsors Betfred after coming unstuck in his hat-trick bid at York last month. That race was at five furlongs and the team from Ballydoyle have upped the 4yo back to six and stand a real chance of landing the £275,000 prize. Sixteen runners will go to post including last years winner Regal Parade, who won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in his last run. Dandi Nicholls’ gelding is a top priced 7/2 (Totesport) second favourite to deliver a repeat performance but finished a disappointing 40/1 sixteenth behind Starspangledbanner at Royal Ascot in June.

Sir Michael Stoute’s representative in the race is Kingsgate Native the mount of returning former champion jockey Ryan Moore. He’s been disappointing in his last three runs but did win at this course in late May on ground described as good to firm. And although the going for Saturday is still unknown, it is hard to rule out Sir Michael’s charge, who is bidding to win the race for the third time, at an easy to back 10/1 (Paddy Power).

A horse that always gives his running is Robin Bastiman’s Borderlescott despite not making headway in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last time out. Tried at six furlongs in just three of his forty-seven career starts, Neil Callan takes the ride and he’ll be hoping the classy 8yo’s stamina holds out having done most of his running back at five. At 10/1 (Betfred) Borderlescott can reward each way punters with all bookmakers paying a ¼ odds the first three.

The remainder of the field are10/1 bar but it would come as no surprise to see a large priced winner take the honours and there are a few interesting longshots that are well capable of getting in the money. Doncaster Rover (25/1 Ladbrokes) has won over this course and distance before and the booking of William Buick is interesting. The David Brown trained gelding bounced back to form at Newmarket five days ago (at the time of writing) and may come in for money before the off. Genki must also come into calculations for Roger Charlton and Steve Drowne if putting a line through his last run at Goodwood where he was outpaced and never in contention 2 out. He’s currently trading at 28/1 with SkyBet but will definitely go off much, much shorter than that early price. The final horse possibly worth an each way punt on is Markab who racked up consecutive wins earlier this season. However, his form has dipped a little of late and was more than eleven lengths behind winner Regal Parade last time out. Odds of 12/1 are available for Henry Candy’s runner and can run his race at a price for a horse who stays the trip well.

It’s difficult to look anywhere else than Aidan O’Brien’s warm favourite Starspangledbanner although there is value to be had in this field. Those with a high draw will no doubt have a slender advantage but this fast galloping track can suit a lot of these runners. The market could well guide once again in the Sprint cup and Colm O’Donoghue riding in the absence of Johnny Murtagh, will be out to reward those favourite backers at a hardening 7/4 now Paco Boy will not contest the race. Richard Hannon’s top miler bypassed the race in favour of Sunday’s Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in France but come 15:35 on Saturday all eyes will be on this exciting feature at Haydock Park.

Betfred Sprint Cup free bets

There are lots of free bets available for the Betfred Sprint Cup. We would reccomend the free bet offers at Bet 365 where customers get £100 in free bets, or Totesport, who also offer £100 in free bets for new customers.

Click here to review free bet offers from all the top online bookmakers