Cracking the Super Sprint puzzle: who are the main players for Saturday's big race at Newbury?
The Weatherbys Super Sprint (3.35) takes place at Newbury on Saturday and a high-class group of juveniles remain in contention for this valuable prize. Here, we run through the protagonists for this year's contest and provide a verdict on who will come out on top.
Relief Rally
Form: 112
Strengths: Looked potentially smart when running out a two-length winner of a Windsor novice on debut in April and supplemented that in a conditions race at Salisbury next time out, when she had Juniper Berries a length and three-quarters behind (conceded 2lb).
She confirmed that form when the pair met on level weights in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot but lost out in a head-bob to the American filly Crimson Advocate.
She would have claimed that Group 2 prize in another stride and drops in class to contest Saturday's race, which is expected to be set up to suit her.
Weaknesses: First time she has taken on the boys and — on her Ascot showing — another furlong would not do her any harm.
Odds: 7-4
What they say
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, following Relief Rally's second in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 21: "It's agonising because Relief Rally was in front just before the line and just after it. But what a great final furlong she ran. She gets black type for that, which is great. The next plan with be the Super Sprint at Newbury, there's good prize-money. She's got no penalty for that. We've been planning for that race so we went to Salisbury because that didn't incur a penalty. If we'd gone for the Listed [race] at York the day after, that would have given her extra weight for the Super Sprint. We knew that if we won the Queen Mary we'd get a penalty but you can live with that. We're very proud of her, she's only little."
Bobsleigh
Form: 116
Strengths: Showcased an impressive turn of foot to claim a Brighton maiden on debut in May and took the step up in grade in his stride when landing the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom a month later.
He finished a respectable sixth when stepped up another level to contest the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where a sluggish start would not have aided his cause.
He drops back to what looks a more realistic level on Saturday and Charlie Bishop is set to retain the partnership.
Weaknesses: Might find this trip sharp enough and it is a concern that his stable is going through something of a cold spell (0-26 with their runners this month).
Odds: 5-1
What they say
Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer, following Bobsleigh's win at Epsom on June 2: "It's pretty exciting. I thought Bobsleigh was doing exactly what we planned. We knew they'd go fast but we knew he had a good turn of foot and he was impressive. When I bought him he was really small and he's just grown, and thrived since we gelded him. He's got plenty of boot so we could drop back to five at Royal Ascot."
Son Of Corballis
Form: 171
Strengths: Housed in the shrewd Kieran Cotter stable and looked value for further than the winning margin when successful on debut at Tipperary in April, when he had a well-regarded Ballydoyle runner directly behind.
He failed to fire when sent across to contest the National Stakes at Sandown but proved that showing to be all wrong when a 25-1 winner of a Listed race back at Tipperary last time out, after which this race was nominated as a potential target.
Weaknesses: Clearly a concern that he was disappointing on his only start outside of Ireland and has something to find on these terms.
Odds: 13-2
What they say
Kieran Cotter, trainer, following Son Of Corballis's win at Tipperary on July 5: "Son Of Corballis didn't travel well to Sandown and everything went wrong. We knew we had him 100 per cent for today. He could go to the Weatherbys Super Sprint."
Juniper Berries
Form: 124
Strengths: Ran out an impressive four-and-three-quarters-of-a-length winner of a Bath novice on debut in April and the second, third and fourth have all won since.
She found Relief Rally too strong in a conditions race at Salisbury next time out and finished even further behind that rival in the Queen Mary subsequently, but now has a 7lb weight swing in her favour and connections clearly rate her highly.
Weaknesses: Needs to take a step forward on her bare form to trouble the best of these and jockey bookings suggest that Bobsleigh is the stable's number one hope.
Odds: 7-1
What they say
Charlie Bishop, jockey, following Juniper Berries's fourth at Ascot on June 21: "We've thought a lot of Juniper Berries all along and I thought I might get closer to Relief Rally this time but I'd say she's improved as well. But I'm very happy with my filly."
How about the remainder?
With Super Sprint winners at 14-1, 16-1 and 28-1 in the last eight years, it would be unwise to focus on just the top four in the betting.
Richard Hannon has farmed this contest in recent years, claiming four of the last nine runnings, and his La Guardia warrants respect for all that she must put a below-par effort in the Chesham behind her.
Karl Burke is operating at a 24 per cent strike-rate with his juveniles on turf this season and could rely on World Of Darcy here, who chased home his stablemate Elite Status in the National Stakes before disappointing when well fancied for the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Verdict
Relief Rally would have won last month's Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes in another stride and this fairly significant drop in class can see her get back to winning ways.
The William Haggas-trained filly is reunited with regular pilot Tom Marquand and this contest should be set up to suit her come-from-behind style of racing.
Weatherbys Super Sprint (3.35 Newbury, Saturday)
William Hill: 11-8 Relief Rally, 9-2 Bobsleigh, 13-2 Son Of Corballis, Juniper Berries, 11 World Of Darcy, 14 La Guarida, 18 Rosario, 20 bar
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