'Starman is equine version of Usain Bolt' - high praise for Sprint Cup favourite

Ed Walker rates stable flagbearer Starman so highly he considers him an equine version of Usain Bolt, and he has full faith Saturday's big-race favourite can "get the job done" in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The Group 1 feature is seen as a bonus opportunity by the young trainer, who had originally thought ground conditions may force the progressive four-year-old to miss the race.

However, the going description on Thursday of good to firm is perfect for Starman, who produced an explosive performance when taking the Group 1 July Cup in quick conditions earlier this season.

Success at Haydock, for which he is an evens favourite, would reaffirm his place as one of Europe's best sprinters after he was a beaten market leader when third in the Prix Maurice de Gheest on his only start since the July Cup.

The trainer said: "We're quite surprised to be here really. We always wanted to come to the Sprint Cup, but historically it would have been unlikely with his preference for faster ground. It's a real bonus being here with conditions in his favour.

Starman's trainer Ed Walker: 'It's a real bonus being here with conditions in his favour'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He goes there in great shape and we couldn't be happier with him. He's run against and beaten most of the field this season so it looks a great opportunity for him.

"You can never be confident going into any race, but at a track which will suit him better and on ground that he loves, he hopefully will get the job done. I think he's the best horse and if he's in the same form as Newmarket then hopefully he'll prove that."

Starman's July Cup success was Walker's first at Group 1 level and David Ward's son of Dutch Art is a real character at Kingsdown Stables in Lambourn.

"He's just a proper boy, all he wants to do is sleep and eat and he's very straightforward," said Walker, speaking at a press conference organised by the Jockey Club.

"He's cool. He stands out because of his physical presence. He's built like a sprinter and looks like what a sprinter should look like – he'd be a Usain Bolt of the equine world."

Starman has more than a touch of Usain Bolt (above) about him according to Ed WalkerCredit: Ian MacNicol

Starman disappointed on soft ground at Ascot on British Champions Day last year and that has encouraged Walker to look at options overseas for later in the year, with the big sprint turf races at the Breeders' Cup and in Hong Kong under consideration. A trip to the US would see the sprinter tested over five furlongs for the first time at Del Mar.

The Everest in Australia was another race connections were eyeing, but with complications in getting there due to Covid, he may have to wait until 2022 to take his chance.

"The Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong would be brilliant," he added.

"It's a little bit of an unknown. None of the races [at the Breeders' Cup] are really ideal, and you wouldn't do any if there was an alternative. I don't think the style of racing on dirt would necessarily suit him.

"I always think you're better off running too short so I'd be inclined to come back to the Turf Sprint over five. That's at this stage what we'd do if the Breeders' Cup came into play."

Starman was one of 11 declarations for Haydock's Group 1 on Saturday, with Royal Ascot winner and July Cup fifth Creative Force among his biggest challengers.

Glen Shiel, second to Dream Of Dreams here last season, and Art Power, who was back in fourth, also take their chance. Recent winners Happy Romance, Summerghand, Garrus and Clive Cox-trained pair Supremacy and Nando Parrado also run. Outsiders Emaraaty Ana and Chil Chil complete the line-up.

Betfair Sprint Cup line-up

Betfair Sprint Cup betting

Betfair Sportsbook: Evens Starman, 5 Creative Force, 13-2 Art Power, 8 Glen Shiel, 14 Summerghand, Supremacy, 16 Chil Chil, Happy Romance, 18 Emaraaty Ana, 33 Garrus, 40 Nando Parrado

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