Equiano (left): will now be aimed at the Prix de l'Abbaye on October 3

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Equiano absent from Sprint Cup as 16 declared

EQUIANO was a surprise absentee from the list of runners for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, for which 16 horses were  declared on Thursday morning.

The Barry Hills-trained five-year-old, who was a general 8-1 shot for the Sprint Cup, disappointed in the Nunthorpe on his last start after a previously successful season.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Charlie Hills, assistant to his father Barry, said they wanted to give Equiano more time after his run at York and he would now be aimed at the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on October 3.

Ballydoyle's Australian import Starspangledbanner heads the field as he bids for his third Group 1 sprint of the season. With Johnny Murtagh required at Leopardstown on Saturday, he will be ridden by Colm O'Donoghue for the first time.

The Golden Jubilee and July Cup winner faces stiff opposition from last year's winner Regal Parade, Temple Stakes winner Kingsgate Native and King's Stand runner-up Markab.

Others to join Equiano in missing the £275,000 6f contest are Paco Boy, who will run in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday, High Standing, who will be stepped up to 7f for the Park Stakes at Doncaster on September11, and Kargali.

The going description at Haydock looks likely to have some good to firm in it by Saturday.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright yesterday said: "It is good ground on the sprint course and with the dry weather continuing we expect good to firm to appear somewhere as the week progresses.

"The round course is good to soft in the home straight and the rest of the course is good. The forecast is for the dry weather to continue with a Sunny day on Saturday."