Hills ready to play ace with Clubs

Barry Hills believes everything points to a big run from Red Clubs when he tackles red-hot favourite Sakhee’s Secret in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The consistent four-year-old has made the frame in both the July Cup and the Nunthorpe this summer, and was only a length and three-quarters behind Sakhee’s Secret in the former.

On the back of those efforts he is a general 10-1 shot for the six-furlong Group One contest and will break from stall six under Hills’ son Michael.

Hills senior said: “He is in very good order and I hope the ground is on the fast side.

“He is drawn well, the course will suit and six furlongs suits him, too.

“I do think he is better at six furlongs and I think he will run well, as he has done in all the big sprints.”

Ted Durcan will take the ride on the well-fancied Hellvelyn for Thirsk trainer Bryan Smart.

A classy sort as a juvenile, where his efforts included success at Royal Ascot as well as a close-up second to Holy Roman Emperor in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, he reappeared in the July Cup where he caught the eye in eighth.

The grey built on that with a cosy success in a Listed event at Beverley over an inadequate five furlongs.

Durcan said: “It looks a wide-open race and we are entitled to be there. Mr Smart is delighted with him and he’s really come on since Beverley.

“He’s still young, still progressing and has got a bright future whatever happens on Saturday.

“He’s got a really good chance but we wouldn’t want any rain.”