'I've never won this and it would be brilliant if I could do it' - trainers and jockeys on their Sprint Cup contenders

Tom Eaves hopes to land one of the few top sprints to have eluded him on Betfair Sprint Cup favourite Inisherin.

It was only by half a hair's breadth that he held on for a record-extending fourth Beverley Bullet last Saturday but he has a habit of coming home in front in tests of speed.

Eaves has won two Prix de l'Abbayes, a Prix Maurice de Gheest, a Flying Five and a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in the last 13 years.

He added a new Group 1 to his collection by taking the Commonwealth Cup on Inisherin at Royal Ascot — only his second winner at the meeting, 16 years after his first.

Now he is aiming to land a first Sprint Cup, as James Doyle and then Andrea Atzeni were on board when his boss Kevin Ryan struck with Hello Youmzain in 2019 and Emaraaty Ana two years later.

Inisherin, whom Eaves called "a machine" after that Commonwealth triumph, needs to bounce back from finishing fifth in the July Cup.

Eaves said: "Newmarket wasn't his track and we're just putting a line through that.

"I rode him work last Saturday and he's in great form. It's a Group 1 so it's competitive but we're looking forward to it. I've never won this and it would be brilliant if I could do it."

Burke takes aim with talented trio

Everyone thought 2023 was the season of Karl Burke's career — two Group 1 wins and £3.13 million in British prize-money alone made it memorable.

Except that he could be poised to match that tally of top-level victories and smash that haul of earnings on Saturday, with almost four months of the year to go.

The man who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas in the spring with Fallen Angel has long thought Elite Status could make it in this grade if he shrugged off a minor niggle.

And his sprinter has looked the part in two outings at Newbury this term, bounding home in Listed company in May then returning to see off Group 3 rivals in good style in July.

Elite Status (Clifford Lee) wins the Hackwood Stakes at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Burke has trained him for this race ever since and said: "We think he's very good. It looks a competitive race and we'll find out how good he is.

"He broke the track record first time at Newbury, when he needed the run a little bit, and the second time he broke his own record. That proves he's high class. He deserves a crack at a Group 1."

Burke also runs Swingalong, who was caught in the last half-furlong when a close second in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and July Cup.

"She's tough and she's in great shape," he said. "It's such a shame she hasn't won a Group 1 and this is as hard as the other ones she's competed in but she's sure to run her race."

Burke pulled Spycatcher out on the day last year and said: "The drying ground would be against him but as long as there's soft in the description he's a definite runner. He's in fantastic form."

Each of the trio has a high draw and the trainer said: "If there is a bias I hope it's to the high numbers, it usually is on that track."

Cox: we're full of confidence in Jasour's ability

If any horse deserves a change of luck it is Jasour, who was sportingly supplemented for the King George Stakes at Goodwood only to be ruled out when injured in a fall on the gallops just 48 hours beforehand.

Finishing in the first four here would earn enough to recoup the wasted £20,000. And that would appear an entirely feasible outcome, given what he has achieved when actually making it to the track.

A Group 2 winner at two, Jasour took the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot in May and finished third in the real thing before running better than his finishing position might suggest in the July Cup, fading from third to sixth in the last half-furlong.

Jasour wins the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Trainer Clive Cox said: "We're looking forward to it. He ran a blinder in the July Cup. We had a setback with Goodwood but he's absolutely fine.

"He's in excellent form, I'm really pleased with his build-up and we're full of confidence in his ability. It's just the fine tuning aspect of getting him to race properly that's the key."

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Annaf
It's his first run back so he might just need it. He's in good order and should run well but he'll definitely come on for the run.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Art Power
He seems in good form. He ran well over seven furlongs at Goodwood but they went a bit quick at York and he didn't get home. Coming back to this trip should suit him.

Cieren Fallon, rider of Montassib
He'll love the easy ground but his draw in stall two isn't ideal as all the fancied ones are on the stands' side. We still have some pace around us, however, and I'm sure he'll give his usual good account.

Tim Palin, racing manager of Middleham Park Racing, owners of Shouldvebeenaring
We've been looking forward to this all year as we believe this is his best chance of winning a Group 1. He's raced twice here and finished second both times, and him loving it here gives him a live chance.

Bucanero Fuerte: interesting contender for Amo RacingCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Adrian Murray, trainer of Bucanero Fuerte
He's been off the track since May but looks fairly straight so hopefully he's ready to run a big race. He was good at Naas last time, showing a very good attitude. We think we're going with a good chance.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Kind Of Blue
He ran very well in Ireland last time and he's run well all year. It's a tough race but he seems in good shape.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Vadream
She's had as good a year as she's ever had and unlucky not to have won. The ground will be lovely for her and I don't think she's a 66-1 shot.

Read more . . .  

3.35 Haydock: Sixteen Sprint Cup runners, four previous Group 1 winners - whose turn is it next?   

1.35 Ascot: 'He would have a favourite's chance if he ran' - analysis and key quotes for Ascot opener   

2.25 Haydock: can Epic Poet finally land a big one in the Old Borough Cup or will it be another near-miss at Haydock?   

2.35 Kempton: is Hamish ready to repeat his September Stakes victory of three years ago or will age catch up with him?   

3.00 Haydock: 'We expect a big run' - analysis and quotes for an ultra-competitive sprint handicap   

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