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

A total of 19 horses were left in Haydock's Betfair Sprint Cup (3.30) at the six-day stage on Monday with Nunthorpe winner Highfield Princess the most notable absentee. With John Quinn's star filly not going for a hat-trick of Group 1 wins, the £350,000 sprint which highlights Saturday's action looks wide open. We assess the key contenders . . .

Minzaal

Form 23-3012

Strengths Chased home sprinting yardstick of the season Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time and could go one better here. The Shadwell colt won the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes before that Deauville Group 1 second, so he brings the best recent form to the table.

Weaknesses Was beaten more than four lengths by Naval Crown at Royal Ascot in the Platinum Jubilee, the only time Minzaal has finished outside of the first three in four starts this year. Therefore, the four-year-old is far from a certainty on his first trip to Haydock despite a largely consistent season.

Odds 7-2

What they say Owen Burrows, trainer (after Hackwood win)

"He's the most laidback character you'll ever meet and is a pleasure to train. He'll go to Haydock for the Sprint Cup and Jim [Crowley] has always thought he'd be better with a bit of cut in the ground."

Naval Crown

Form 104125

Strengths The only horse among the 19 with a Group 1 win in 2022, having landed the Platinum Jubilee at 33-1. Solid efforts have followed with a second to Alcohol Free in the July Cup and a fifth in the Maurice de Gheest. He's the highest-rated horse with a mark of 118 and could have too much class for many of his rivals who are struggling for form.

Weaknesses Having been campaigned primarily over 7f before the drop back to sprinting trips this term, there is a slight concern he could be outpaced. The Godolphin colt outstayed stablemate Creative Force over the stiff uphill finish at the royal meeting but could be found wanting on his first trip to the flatter Haydock where there is more emphasis on speed than stamina.

Odds 5-1

What they say Charlie Appleby, trainer (after July Cup second)

"He's run a rock-solid race. The plan was to go forward. He set a good clip and it was only the filly who has come and dived on us late. We'll probably head towards Haydock as the ground doesn't worry him at all."

Emaraaty Ana (yellow): winner of last year's Sprint Cup at HaydockCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Emaraaty Ana

Form 4-00063

Strengths Last year's winner has shown some signs of a revival recently, including when a staying-on third in the Nunthorpe over 5f. He should relish the return to 6f and there was no disgrace in his sixth in the July Cup, with the fifth Double Or Bubble since winning the Group 3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood.

Weaknesses A stint globetrotting after last year's career-best effort didn't quite work out and two down-the-field finishes at Meydan are off-putting despite coming in better races than this. There has also been no back-to-back or multiple winner of the Sprint Cup since Be Friendly, who won the inaugural event in 1966 before following up a year later.

Odds 13-2

What they say Adam Ryan, assistant trainer (after Nunthorpe third)

"We're over the moon with him. He's taken his time to get over Dubai but he was more himself there. He's not run since the July Cup, he's come here a fresh horse and he's run his race. I hope he can go on to Haydock and defend his crown. Ideally, that's his trip. It's fantastic to see him bouncing back to form."

Kinross

Form 49-3821

Strengths Atoned for his near-miss in the Lennox when landing another Group 2 in the City Of York Stakes, beating Rohaan and Art Power who could reoppose here. Has Group-winning course form courtesy of last year's John Of Gaunt success and was beaten only a neck in third when defending his crown on his last visit to Haydock.

Weaknesses Although in superb form over 7f, Kinross is yet to be placed over 6f with the latest attempt coming when eighth behind Naval Crown at Royal Ascot. Ralph Beckett's five-year-old is the only horse of the 19 left in the race without a win over 6f so has it all to prove back in sprinting company.

Frankie Dettori: will be hoping for more scenes like this with Kinross at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Odds 8-1

What they say Ralph Beckett, trainer (after City Of York win)

"Kinross is a good horse and, it's a matter of opinion, but I thought he was unlucky in the Lennox. If you gave me the choice of the two he'd already won a Lennox. I thought this race would set up well for him, and so it proved."

Rohaan

Form 781447

Strengths Prolific in handicap company and has also won a Group 2 over course and distance on the four-year-old's only run at Haydock. Delivered a fine performance off top weight to take the Wokingham for the second year in a row at Royal Ascot, showing he retains plenty of ability.

Weaknesses Has never quite cracked it in top-level company where he is 0-5. A lacklustre seventh in the City Of York Stakes last time out is concerning, although that did come over a furlong further than what he faces here.

Odds 8-1

What they say Chris Kelly, joint-owner (after second Wokingham win)

"Rohaan fell on the gallops and we thought his career was over. He bombed out at York but David [Evans, trainer] got him back to his best. This horse was done in March but he has just won on the bridle."

Art Power (grey): fifth in last year's Sprint Cup won by Emaraaty AnaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Art Power

Form 48514-4

Strengths A two-time Group 3 winner at this trip who was leading after six furlongs in the City Of York Stakes before fading to finish fourth after a 308-day absence. If coming on for that reappearance, the King Power-owned grey could be dangerous back over his best trip. Has finished outside of the first five only once in seven Group 1s and that came in Battaash's second Nunthorpe win in 2020, so he could be a decent each-way proposition.

Weaknesses Has already had two attempts at this race, finishing fourth two years ago and fifth last year. Both Group wins have come in Ireland and he needs to prove he can perform closer to home against rivals who have had much more racing this season.

Odds 10-1

Betfair Sprint Cup, Saturday, September 3, Haydock (3.35)

Betfair: 7-2 Minzaal, 9-2 Naval Crown, 13-2 Emaraaty Ana, 8 Kinross, 9 Rohaan, 10 Art Power, Brad The Brief 12 Go Bears Go, 16 bar

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