Heartache and Havana inseparable as trainers give the lowdown

2.25 DoncasterWainwrights Flying Childers Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo | 5f | ITV4/ATR

If bookmakers are right the Wainwrights Flying Childers Stakes is a straight match between Heartache and Havana Grey, as the pair are hard to separate in the betting and only one other is trading in single figures.

Trainers Clive Cox and Karl Burke are especially adept with sprinters, and both speak with an optimism bordering on the contagious. One of them ought to win, but which one?

The runaway Haydock Sprint Cup success of Harry Angel was the highlight of one of the best weekend's of Cox's career. He was still basking in the afterglow as he speculated on landing a second Group 2 with Queen Mary Stakes winner Heartache, who lowered the colours of Wesley Ward's Happy Like A Fool at Royal Ascot and whose Prix Robert Papin third to Burke's Unfortunately can arguably be upgraded.

Cox said: "Although she performed to a very high level, she came back from France very sore in her quarters after a coming together at the start.

"She's had a good time to recover and she's continued growing and strengthening throughout the second half of the summer. We've been very happy with her in the build-up to this race and are pleased we didn't try forcing her for the Lowther.

Havana Grey: 'He's mad fresh and bouncing,' says trainer Karl BurkeCredit: Mark Cranham

"Her Queen Mary win was very exciting and, for me, she's a top filly. We hold her in the highest regard and I just hope conditions keep drying as we could be in trouble if there's more rain."

Burke is just as pleased with Havana Grey, who is standing up to his busy campaign well and has also been placed behind Unfortunately in France, running his best race yet when second at Deauville on his latest start.

He said: "He's in great form. He took no getting over his trip to Deauville and I'm very, very happy with him. He's mad fresh and bouncing.

"Havana Grey coped with soft ground in Goodwood's Molecomb Stakes, but it was a concern beforehand."

The trainer added: "The ground is drying out a little bit, which is ideal. Good ground would be perfect, but a bit of ease will be fine, and we'll go there and see who's best. We're very hopeful."

Who can threaten the big two?

Dougie Costello, who enjoyed his biggest Flat wins on Burke's Quiet Reflection, opposes his former boss on Pursuing The Dream, the only other runner to whom bookmakers give a realistic chance.

Jamie Osborne's filly also has strong French form, having run her best race when winning a Listed event at Deauville last time, and although she has a bit to find Costello gives her "a big shout."

He said: "She's got a lot of speed, and when it all comes right for her in terms of pace and cover she runs extremely well, as we saw at Deauville. She's done everything right, and ground with a bit of ease might be less of an issue for her than for Heartache in particular."

Don't forget the Girls

Yogi's Girl and May Girl look best of the rest, and if there is a to be a turn-up it is perhaps most likely to come from May Girl, who at York on Saturday gave apprentice Jonathan Fisher the thrill of his career when overcoming a slow start to beat a well-touted newcomer in a novice run on soft ground.

Her trainer Robert Cowell, more than any other, is an acknowledged master with sprinters, but this is a race he has yet to win.

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