Confident David Evans believes Rohaan should have 'every chance' in Sprint Cup

David Evans believes Rohaan can bounce back from his defeat at York this month when he lines up in Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup (3.30).

The four-year-old returned to his best when winning the Wokingham in June, having struggled for form since winning the same race at Royal Ascot last year.

After finishing fourth in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes under Hollie Doyle in July, Rohaan was fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but failed to make an impression in the City of York Stakes over 7f on August 20, when he managed only seventh.

"He's still loving life and you can put a line through his last run – he just doesn't seem to be suited by York," said Evans, whose stable star will drop back to 6f at Haydock. "He was brilliant in the Wokingham and performed well at Newbury and Deauville.

"He should have every chance on Saturday if he can replicate that kind of form but he's got two ways of running, as everyone knows. It's a quick turnaround from York but that doesn't seem to bother him and he had a lot of runs during his three-year-old season."

Trainer David Evans aboard RohaanCredit: Edward Whitaker

Rohaan has risen through the ranks since his debut in October 2020. Two months later, he won on the Newcastle all-weather off a mark of 55 and rose to a peak rating of 116 after his first Wokingham victory.

He has raced 25 times, including in Saudi Arabia, and was almost retired before striking late at this year's Royal Ascot under Ryan Moore, who will not be available to partner him this Saturday.

"He'll be ridden by Hollie Doyle," added Evans. "Ryan Moore and Adam Kirby, who rode him last time, are riding elsewhere. The ground shouldn't be an issue and he's done well on quick surfaces."

The early market for the Group 1 is headed by the Owen Burrows-trained Minzaal, who finished ahead of Rohaan when second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. The provisional field also includes last year's winner Emaraaty Ana and Godolphin's Naval Crown, who landed the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Evans suggested Rohaan would remain at Group 1 level after Haydock and the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes on October 15, in which he finished down the field last year, is an option.

Betfair Sprint Cup, Saturday, September 3, Haydock (3.30)

Betfair: 7-2 Minzaal, 9-2 Naval Crown, 13-2 Emaraaty Ana, 8 Kinross, Rohaan, 10 Art Power, Brad The Brief, 12 Go Bears Go, 18 bar

Read more on the Betfair Sprint Cup:

Who wins the 2022 Sprint Cup? Assessing the key contenders for Haydock

'He's very well priced at 12-1' - Loughnane sweet on Amo's Sprint Cup hope

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