Danzeno can dance to Sprint Cup success at Haydock
BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE RACING AT HAYDOCK
THERE are 17 runners declared for a fascinating Sprint Cup at Haydock tomorrow (3.45pm) with a host of talented three-year-olds taking on some of the best of the older generation for the six-furlong showpiece.
Betway bet 6/1 bar highlighting how competitive this Group One is.
The last two winners, G Force and Gordon Lord Byron, return for more. G Force was a breakthrough top-level win for David O’Meara 12 months ago, but the horse has been beaten out of sight in four subsequent runs.
A return to this track may spark a revival but I can’t touch him at 12/1.
Gordon Lord Byron, second last year having stormed to victory in 2013, is harder to dismiss. He was beaten just a length by crack colt Muhaarar in a Group One at Deauville last month and he’ll relish further rain.
But, aged seven, he’s vulnerable to a younger improver and DANZENO fits the bill at 7/1 with Betway.
The four-year-old gave Michael Appleby the sole Group success of his career so far when winning the Chipchase at Newcastle last term. He ran a cracker in a repeat bid back in June considering he missed the break and then stumbled before finishing third.
From off the pace, Danzeno again put up a strong performance in the July Cup and it’s surely significant that Frankie Dettori – who helped convince connections of Stewards’ Cup hero Magical Memory to supplement him – has chosen to ride.
Danzeno is a fractious type in the stalls but, assuming he pops out on time, should go well. All ground seems to come alike and, although a draw in stall two may not be absolutely ideal, the trailblazing Tiggy Wiggy should give the low numbers a good tow into the race.
If the going gets much softer then the progressive Mattmu would have to enter calculations. The unbeaten Twilight Son is another intriguing contender but this is a massive step up in class.
Adaay beat a largely exposed bunch in the Hungerford at Newbury last time. He has a fine record over this trip but looking at his overall form William Haggas’ charge will need a career best by a fair way.
Charlie Hills has a live chance with Magical Memory and his Strath Burn isn’t the worst 33/1 shot but I’d rather back the stable’s JADAAYIL in the second division of the fillies’ maiden on this afternoon’s card (2.30pm).
The trainer has been quite vocal about how highly he rates this daughter of Oasis Dream and she should take all the beating under Paul Hanagan.
A good second at Newbury on debut when sent off favourite, Jadaayil will appreciate today’s less testing ground and this doesn’t look a particularly strong maiden.
@BillEsdaile
▀ Pointers…
JADAAYIL 2.30pm Haydock (today)
DANZENO e/w 3.45pm Haydock (tomorrow)