Roger Teal's Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}), who won the G1 July Cup in the colours of Stephen Piper, Tony Hirschfield and David Fish, is one of 15 standing their ground for the upcoming G1 Betfair Sprint Cup on Sept. 5.
“All seems good–fingers crossed, we'll get there in one piece,” said the conditioner. “I've had a quick look at the entries. I was watching them come in, and it's what was expected. If the ground tightens up it would help no end. I have tried him twice before on an easier surface, and he hasn't run to form, but I don't think it was the ground. There were other reasons. It's not that he has to have the ground rattling fast–but if it was good to soft, it'd be perfect.”
Since his victory in the July Cup, Oxted had an ulcer removed from the back of his throat and Teal remains confident the procedure would not mar his horse's chances.
“He had a little wind op after Newmarket,” he said. “He had an ulcer on the back of his throat. We had that removed. He was scoped after the July Cup, so he must have run with it. It was a simple procedure.”
Hollie Doyle, who rode a five-timer at Windsor on Saturday, has the call aboard G3 Phoenix Sprint S. hero Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) for trainer Archie Watson. It will be Doyle's first ride in a British Group 1.
Doyle told Sky Sports Racing, “I'm really looking forward to riding Glen–he's been a flag-bearer for the yard really. He keeps on surprising us. He's improving with age and he's got quicker the older he's got, which is strange. He's going the right way. He's an old legend. The ground is the key to him really, and he'll get his ground at Haydock and a stiff enough six [furlongs]. I'm hoping for a good run.”
Others entered include G1 Diamond Jubilee winner Hello Youmzain (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), who won the 2019 edition of the Haydock Sprint Cup, as well as his stablemates Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Queen Jo Jo (GB) (Gregorian {Ire}). All three are trained by Kevin Ryan.
James Fanshawe saddles 2018 winner The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) and Archer's Dream (Ire) (Dream Ahead). G1 Commonwealth Cup S. winner Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}) for Clive Cox and G2 Hungerford S. winner Dream Of Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead) are also slated to line up, among others.
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