Group 1-winning sprinter Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) faces 21 rivals in Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock at the latest entry stage.
Trained by Kevin Ryan, the 3-year-old colt won the G3 Sandy Lane Stakes in the spring, before prevailing in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Favoured for the G1 July Cup, he could only manage fifth, and has been benched since.
Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), successful in that July Cup, was followed home by Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who is trained by Karl Burke for Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum.
Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for the sheikh, said, “All is going well and it has been the plan for a while since she ran at Newmarket.
“She was beaten about a length and a half last year and I think she is at least two lengths better this year, so hopefully she will be thereabouts.
“It's the perfect race for her and one that has been on the cards for a long while.”
Burke will also saddle G3 Prix de Meautry hero Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) and multiple group winner Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), with the latter also owned by Inisherin's owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.
There will be three contestants from William Haggas's Somerville Lodge, including Commonwealth Cup second Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), G3 Chipchase Sxtakes victor Motassib (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Cheveley Park Stud's Unequal Love (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is a late addition to the Sprint Cup, and was supplemented at a cost of £20,000 on Monday. The Bermuda Racing Limited runner won the G3 Summer Stakes two starts ago.
Other likely starters are Group 1 winner Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), and Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who was a neck second in the 2023 edition.
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