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The Group One Betfred Sprint Cup is the highlight of the Flat season at Haydock Park and the 2012 renewal which takes place at 3.25pm this Saturday, September 18, promises to be the most cosmopolitan ever with representatives from Australia, France and Ireland as well as a strong British-trained presence among the 15-strong field.
Australian challenger Ortensia heads the market at 5/2 with race sponsor Betfred. The seven-year-old has won twice in Britain already this season, taking the Group Two King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month, both run over five furlongs. The Paul Messara-trained mare, partnered again on Saturday by William Buick, was also successful in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint over five furlongs at Meydan, Dubai, in March and is also a Group One winner in her homeland.
The two challengers from Ireland for the six-furlong contest are the David Marnane-trained Dandy Boy (16/1), successful in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot in June, and Gordon Lord Byron, who hails from the County Tipperary yard of Tom Hogan.
Gordon Lord Byron, a 25/1 chance with Betfred, made his second start in England a winning one when a comfortable two and three quarter length winner of the Listed Betfred City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs at York on August 25. The four-year-old had previously looked a touch unlucky when caught in the last 50 yards by Fire Lily in the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh on August 12.
Hogan, who trains at Fatheen in Co Tipperary, said today: "Gordon Lord Byron is in very good form and he has come out of his run at York well. I haven't done much with him since but he did a good piece of work yesterday and is ready to go.
"I wasn't surprised by how well he did it at York and the quicker ground made a difference. He had been running on soft ground over here and he had been struggling with it but he ran a good race behind Fire Lily when he was in front a bit too long.
"He is maturing all the time and he has got stronger throughout the year. I would say there is still some more improvement to come and he will probably be a better horse next year.
"Until York, he had never won over further than six furlongs and a stiff six is probably his best trip. He is a horse with a good cruising speed and he can quicken off it.
"We would be delighted if he can pick up some prize money."
Wizz Kid is the challenger from France. The four-year-old filly is a dual Group Two winner over five furlongs at Chantilly and was runner-up in the Group Two QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot last season. On her most recent outing, she was second to the top-class Moonlight Cloud in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest over an extended six furlongs at Deauville on August 5.
Heading the British-trained challenge is the Roger Charlton-trained Bated Breath, who finished the nose runner-up in last year's renewal behind Dream Ahead and broke the course record for five furlongs at Haydock Park when taking the Group Two betfred.com Temple Stakes on May 26. The five-year-old is the 3/1 second favourite with Betfred. Charlton is also represented by Genki (40/1), who was beaten under two lengths when fourth in the 2011 race.
Strong Suit represents reigning champion trainer Richard Hannon and is 11/2 third favourite with Betfred. A dual Group Two winner last season, the four-year-old showed he was on the way back to his best when runner-up in the seven-furlong Group Two Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on August 18.
Other leading contenders include the James Fanshawe-trained Society Rock (10/1), successful in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2011, Hitchens (12/1), a dual Group Three winner for sprint specialist David Barron and Godolphin's Soul (16/1), who ran his best race this year when fourth behindBlack Caviar in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Scotland will be presented by the Jim Goldie-trained Hawkeyethenoo (16/1), who defied the welter burden of 9st 9lb when taking the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood on August 4.
Completing the line-up are Es Que Love, Elusivity, Confessional and Majestic Myles.
The Betfred Sprint Cup is run on the third and final day of the Betfred Sprint Cup Festival, which kicks off today, Thursday, September 6. The action on Saturday also features the Listed Betfred "Still Treble The Odds On Lucky 15s" Stakes (1.45pm, six runners) run over a mile for two-year-olds, the Listed Celebrating 45 Years Of Betfred Superior Mile (2.50pm, eight runners) for three-year-olds and upwards and the ultra-competitive Betfred Mobile Lotto Old Borough Cup (4.00pm, 14 runners) over a mile and three quarters.
Betfred Sprint Cup, Betfred bet: 5/2 Ortensia; 3/1 Bated Breath; 11/2 Strong Suit; 10/1 Society Rock; 12/1 Hitchens; 14/1 Wizz Kid; 16/1 Dandy Boy, Hawkeyethenoo, Soul; 25/1 Gordon Lord Byron; 33/1 Es Que Love; 40/1 Elusivity, Genki; 50/1 Confessional, Majestic Myles