2022 Sprint Cup: 'He has a big chance' - top trainers on their Group 1 runners

Betfair Sprint Cup (Group 1) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Emaraaty Ana's performance in last month's Nunthorpe Stakes was exactly what connections had hoped to see prior to his bid to land a second running of the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup.

In finishing third to Highfield Princess at York, Emaraaty Ana produced more evidence that his early season lacklustre form was being left behind and he was coming back to his peak, just as he did when holding on to win last year's Sprint Cup by a short head from Starman.

Last season's Haydock win was followed by a fourth-placed finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. However, a winter in Dubai did Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's six-year-old no favours and he was far from his best when returning to action at Royal Ascot.

Green shoots of progress were there to be seen in the July Cup, when he was sixth to Alcohol Free, and they continued to flourish at York, giving optimism to trainer Kevin Ryan's team about his chances at Haydock.

"We're looking forward to it," Adam Ryan, Kevin Ryan's son and assistant said. "We've taken the same approach with him as we did before he won last year, so hopefully it's the same result this time – he's certainly going there in good order.

"He ran really well in the July Cup and ran the same race this year to the one he did in the Nunthorpe last year, which points to him being right back to form.

"If he's right back to form, and we think he is, then he has to have a big chance. It's a competitive race, but there are only two Group 1 winners in the field and he's one of them."

Emaraaty Ana is joined in the Sprint Cup by stablemate Hala Hala Athmani, who finished last in a Group 3 fillies' race at York in July after an encouraging comeback when seventh in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

"That can sometimes happen at York," Adam Ryan said. "She ran a big race in the Commonwealth Cup after a long layoff and maybe she bounced last time. She's got it to do in this race, but there is no doubt she's a filly with any amount of potential."

Minzaal in search of elusive Group 1 win

While Emaraaty Ana and Naval Crown are the only horses to have scored at Group 1 level lining up at Haydock, trainer Owen Burrows believes Minzaal is unfortunate not to have emulated them having been placed at the top level in each of his three years on the track.

Owned by Shadwell Estates, Minzaal was third in the 2020 Middle Park Stakes, third in last year's Champions Sprint at Ascot and then chased home Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice de Gheest on his most recent outing last month.

"He's shown a high level of ability over the three years he has raced and he has been knocking on the door of a Group 1," Burrows said. "From my and my team's point of view, I'd love to get his head in front in a Group 1 and he would be a valuable horse then. He has run some very solid races this year.

"He has been a very laid-back character and a pleasure to train. As a sprinter, they can be a little bit hot, but he is not like that. The only time he comes alive is when you leg the jockey up at the races. He has got a wonderful temperament and you would much rather have horses like that."

Minzaal has played his part in Burrows' remarkable Group-race record this season – the stable has had five winners from 12 runners in such races.

Art Power's 'best chance' of a Group 1

Art Power has finished fourth to Dream Of Dreams and fifth behind Emaraaty Ana in the last two Sprint Cups, but the grey's connections believe this year's running could represent his best chance of a breakthrough in Group 1 company.

King Power Racing's son of Dark Angel remains lightly raced for a five-year-old sprinter after just 16 starts, seven of which have come at the top table and resulted in form figures of 6443454.

He returned from a lengthy absence with an encouraging performance when fourth in the City of York Stakes on a first try over 7f and drops back to a more familiar trip at Haydock.

Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power, said: "We're excited about Art Power, this could be his best chance in a Group 1 that he's had. It was an excellent comeback run over too long a trip when not fully fit last time."

King Power also run Chil Chil, and Donald added: "Chil Chil went great in this race last year. She wasn't suited by Chester, which was largely a prep run, and if the rain stays away that will help her."

What they say

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Flaming Rib and Dubawi Legend
Dubawi Legend is very happy and fresh. It's a big leap from last weekend, but we are keen to give it a go. We were disappointed with Flaming Rib after the July Cup and this has been the target since. He's right back to himself.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Naval Crown
Naval Crown has enjoyed a little break since the Prix Maurice de Gheest and heads to Haydock in great shape. These sprints are always very competitive, but he ticks a lot of boxes.

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
He should have every chance, but he's got two ways of running. It's a quick turnaround from York, but that doesn't seem to bother him.

Sprint Cup analysis: expect recent form to leave a clear imprint on the result (£)

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Haydock: 'John's really happy with him' – will Reach For The Moon make it as a miler?

2.05 Kempton: can Dubai Honour continue his upward curve and cash in on a huge class-drop?

2.20 Haydock: William Haggas eyeing another valuable prize with progressive filly Tamilla

2.55 Haydock: 'He was unlucky last time' – Old Borough Cup trainer quotes and analysis

3.45 Ascot: can five-strong Godolphin battalion lay siege to competitive Ascot handicap?

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