Breeders' Cup and Ascot put on agenda for Sprint Cup runners left trailing by awesome Almeraq

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Mick Appleby will target the Breeders' Cup again with Big Mojo after walking away from Haydock content with his stable star's effort to finish third in the Betfair Sprint Cup.

The four-year-old Mohaather colt made his Group 1 breakthrough in the Sprint Cup last year and was bidding to become just the second horse to win it twice after Be Friendly, who won it back-to-back in 1966 and 1967.

However, Big Mojo won it on good ground last year and it was soft on Saturday, conditions Appleby and jockey William Buick said he hated.

Big Mojo ultimately finished nine lengths behind impressive winner Almeraq and Appleby said: "William could tell going down to the start that he wasn’t keen on the ground. He hated all of it but toughed it out and ran a blinder. If it was decent ground, he would have gone close."

Having competed at the Breeders' Cup as a juvenile when a length fourth at Del Mar in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, Big Mojo is destined for a return to the US for the $1 million Turf Sprint at Keeneland on October 31.

Appleby added: "We plan to go straight to the Breeders’ Cup with him and we go there knowing he handles the travel well."

Paborus: "He's up to this level"Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Ascot the aim for runner-up

Wathnan Racing's bid for a first British Group 1 this season fell short, though Paborus ran with plenty of credit to finish second at Haydock.

Trained by Ed Bethell, the five-year-old was making his second start in Group 1 company and significantly bettered last month's eighth in the City of York Stakes.

It represented his second start over six furlongs and connections expected the stiff test at the trip in the Champions Sprint at Ascot next month to suit.

Richard Brown, adviser to Wathnan Racing, said: "We’re delighted with Paborus and it was a big run. He travelled into it strongly but was beaten by a better horse on the day. 

"We’ll head to Ascot with him if he comes out of it fine. It’s going to be hard to beat Almeraq but that stiff six furlongs will really suit Paborus. You have to have a crack in these big sprints and he’s shown he’s up to this level."

Kind Of Blue chased home Big Mojo last year for Wathnan and was sent off 4-1 to go one better, but he never really fired and finished fifth.

Brown added: "It felt like an off day for Kind Of Blue and he just didn’t fire. We’ll get him home and see if everything is okay and then make a plan.”

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