Can William Haggas fire in another Brighton Bullet winner? Analysis and key quotes for competitive sprint

It is rare to see William Haggas’s name on a Brighton racecard, although not in this race. The Newmarket trainer landed consecutive runnings of the Brighton Bullet in 2021 and 2022 and Another Abbot will be his first runner since.

Those two Brighton Bullet successes made a positive contribution to Haggas’s 50 per cent course record over the past five years (6-12) and Another Abbot looked a progressive sprinter until taking a backwards step when a disappointing joint-favourite at Windsor last time.

However, that was a competitive three-year-old handicap for the grade won by a rapid improver and he sat close enough to a strong pace, so he could bounce back. 

Abate brings the best recent form to the table after an easy four-length victory from the front at Lingfield with first-time blinkers having a positive effect.

That resurgent effort came from an ideal rail-side draw, though, and the concern is whether this nine-year-old can back up that performance on this rise in grade in a bigger field out in stall 13. 

Tony Carroll is another trainer with two Brighton Bullets to his name in the past decade and his challenge this season is strong with three runners. 

Mumayaz is a 7f winner here and will be of interest if turned out quickly, having finished fourth here on Thursday.

Last-time-out winner Cindy Lou Who arrives in excellent nick, although Jack Doughty is aboard Charlie Mason, whose mark continues to slide. 

Charlie Mason shaped well over an inadequate 5f at Chepstow two starts back and wasn’t helped by being carried left at Ffos Las three days ago.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going report

The ground is good to firm, good in places and clerk of the course Jack Hastings said: "I'll take a view whether to water after the last on Thursday. We'll speak to the jockeys but the likelihood is that we'll put down 4-5mm just to take the sting out of it. It should be overcast and slightly warmer on Friday."

What they say

George Baker, trainer of Abate
He got a bit of a golden highway at Lingfield last time and the handicapper didn't miss him, putting him up 6lb. He had a spin in the Magnolia Cup last week, so goes there in good form. We don't know about the track until we try it. He's a neat, well-balanced horse, so you'd hope he'd handle it.

Tim Palin, director of racing for Middleham Park, owners of Gold Star Hero and Ziggy's Ariel
Ziggy's Ariel will like the fast nature of the track and surface. She enjoys a positive ride, is in good form and we're hoping she'll be competitive. Gold Star Hero is well handicapped and we're hoping the step up to six furlongs and undulating track could be the key to him.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Mumayaz, Cindy Lou Who and Charlie Mason
They're all in good form. Cindy Lou Who looks a nice filly and won well at Windsor last time. It's her first time at Brighton but I'm sure she'll handle the track and she's tough. She's probably our best chance of the three. Mumayaz ran on Thursday but it's the plan to run again as long as everything's fine. Charlie Mason was unlucky not to finish second last time. He's in good form and he's got the ability to pop up in one of these races.
Reporting by James Stevens

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