Mabs Cross owner believes big rivals will set Temple Stakes up for sprint star

David Armstrong, owner of Temple Stakes second favourite Mabs Cross, believes the running style of key rivals Battaash and Kachy will help bring out the best in his star sprinter as he eyes a dream victory at Haydock on Saturday.

Last year's Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Mabs Cross returned in scintillating style this month after coming from off the pace to land back-to-back runnings of the Palace House carrying a Group 1 penalty.

With prominent racers Battaash and Kachy likely to blaze a trail in the 5f contest, Mabs Cross should have the race run to suit as she bids to turn around the form of last year's Temple when finishing fourth behind winner Battaash and Kachy, who was third.

"She has so much speed it's unbelievable, but she has to come from off the pace and the race needs to go right for her," said Armstrong.

"With Kachy and Battaash in the field, she'll get a pace to run at. She was only beaten three-quarters of a length last year and hopefully she can catch them this time."

David Armstrong: owner of last year's Cartier Champion Sprinter Mabs CrossCredit: David Carr

The Chorley-based owner-breeder sponsors the Group 2 in the name of his stone and cement company, and winning such a big race at his local track would be extra special.

"To win a Group 2 race we sponsor at Haydock would be another achievement I could never have dreamed of," he said.

The likes of Mayson, Ribchester and Garswood have carried the colours of Armstrong and wife Emma with distinction, but last year's Cartier Champion Sprinter is a firm favourite at the couple's Highfield Farm as she was bred out of the first horse they bought, Miss Meggy.

"Mayson was a Group 1 winner as well and they've won almost identical prize-money, but Mabs Cross is probably the best we've had," he added. "She tries her heart out and is a real high-class mare."

Despite finishing behind Mabs Cross on his last two starts in the Nunthorpe and Abbaye, Battaash is a strong favourite for the Temple, with Coral cutting his odds to evens (from 11-10) after Thursday's declaration stage, although other firms go 5-4.

Mabs Cross – the only runner in the six-strong field with a Group 1 penalty to carry – is a best-priced 11-4 and Kachy is available at 4-1. Last year's Nunthorpe winner Alpha Delphini, who denied Mabs Cross by a nose, is 10-1 with 33-1 shots Caspian Prince and Pocket Dynamo completing the line-up.

Unbeaten Commonwealth Cup favourite Calyx will face just three rivals – Hello Youmzain, True Mason and Royal Intervention – in the other Group 2, the Sandy Lane Stakes, on a card sponsored entirely by the Armstrong Group.

The ground at Haydock for the two-day fixture starting on Friday was described as good to firm on Thursday.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "We've put on 12mm in the last two days and have the option of putting on a bit more tomorrow night. With a dry and bright outlook, I'm happy we'll be good to firm on Saturday."

On the possibility of course records being broken in light of the conditions, Tellwright added: "You wouldn't have seen a stronger five-furlong field at Haydock than the Temple Stakes and I would have thought the track will be fast. However, you would need a tailwind as well to compare with the very fast times and there's just a pleasant breeze forecast."

Friday's meeting at Haydock features a break from the norm with a two-year-old race staged over 7f, which was previously forbidden prior to Derby day at Epsom.

Following a request for the National Trainers Federation to bring forward the start of 7f two-year-old races, the BHA agreed to a trial and programmed two such contests in May, with the other taking place at Yarmouth next Thursday.

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