Secret on course for Haydock
Sakhee’s Secret and Dutch Art, first and second in the July Cup, head an impressive 54 entries for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 8.
Unbeaten in four starts this year, Hughie Morrison’s stable star heads the sponsors’ market at 5-2 following his half-length victory over Peter Chapple-Hyam’s charge.
“He’s in great form. He’s been turned out the last couple of days. He came back full of beans and is sound and well,” Morrison told At the Races.
“We’ll give him a bit of a holiday for two or three weeks and then make a plan.
“I think the natural race is the Haydock race.
“We might change our mind, but were under no pressure to prove anything at the moment.”
Despite being campaigned over further in the early part of the season, Chapple-Hyam confirmed Dutch Art will stick to sprinting for the time being, with a trip to France firstly on the cards.
“The Betfred Sprint Cup is definitely on the agenda for Dutch Art. He’ll go to France first for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (August 5), and then the plan is Haydock,” revealed Chapple-Hyam.
“I was delighted with his effort at Newmarket – the winner is obviously a very good horse.
“I was expecting a big run from my fellow. He’s come out of the race a bit stiff but that’s normal for him, otherwise he’s perfectly fine.
“He was running on well towards the finish and I still think he’ll get further, but he’s good from six furlongs up to a mile.
“Most very good horses are versatile and I think he is equally effective at both trips. The ground also doesn’t bother him as he’s won on soft and quick ground.
“I will be happy to take on Sakhee’s Secret again. I suppose you would have to say that the horse that beat us should do so again, but there’s no point going there thinking you’re going to get beaten.
“With a bit of luck we’ll be there or thereabouts. Al Qasi and Tariq are also entered in the Sprint Cup but they are not certain runners.”
A host of July Cup also-rans are entered for the Haydock showpiece with Red Clubs, Asset, Marchand D’Or and Dandy Man possibles at this stage.
Last year’s winner Reverence could bid for a repeat after a satisfactory comeback behind Hoh Mike, who is also a possible.
Aidan O’Brien has intriguingly given George Washington an entry along with St James’s Palace Stakes winner Excellent Art, Astronomer Royal and Theann.
Haatef, Somnus – who won the Sprint Cup in 2003 – Amadeus Wolf, Benbaun, and Jeremy are other interesting entries.
Betfred Sprint Cup
Sponsors bet: 5-2 Sakhee’s Secret, 11-2 Dutch Art, 13-2 Reverence, 7-1 Soldier’s Tale, 9-1 George Washington, 10-1 Asset, 12-1 Amadeus Wolf, Excellent Art, 14-1 Magnus, 16-1 Benbaun, Bygone Days, Haatef, Marchand D’Or, Red Clubs, 20-1 Bar.
