Local rivals square up to determine the fate of Betfair Sprint Cup with a deep and talented field declared

From Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge stables near Middleham to Kevin Ryan's Hambleton Lodge, just the other side of Thirsk, is only 30-odd miles as the crow flies. The odds are good that, by the end of Saturday afternoon, the Betfair Sprint Cup trophy will be heading north-east from Haydock to one of those yards – but which one?

Will victory fall to Ryan, winner of this race twice in the last five years with Hello Youmzain and Emaraaty Ana? He relies on Inisherin, who seems set to start favourite, even though one senses punters are still fretful about what went wrong for him in the July Cup.

Burke, who won this with Quiet Reflection eight years ago, is having a serious cut at this prize. He's going to war with three really big guns: Elite Status, Swingalong and Spycatcher. If their individual odds are accurate, those three collectively give Burke the stronger hand.