Kind Of Blue will attempt to turn two years of Haydock frustration into Group 1 glory when he lines up in a fascinating renewal of the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (G1, 1200m) on Saturday.
The James Fanshawe-trained five-year-old has finished runner-up in the Merseyside feature in each of the past two seasons, losing by a head to Montassib in 2024 before finding Big Mojo a length-and-a-quarter too strong 12 months ago.
He now returns for a third attempt at the £400,000 contest, which is the final all-aged six-furlong Group 1 of the British season and one of the defining races in the sprint division.
Owned by Wathnan Racing, Kind Of Blue has not won since landing the British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1) at Ascot in October 2024, but his proven record at Haydock and ability to handle different conditions make him a leading contender once again.
The son of Blue Point began his current campaign with a second behind Elmonjed in the Minster Stakes (G2) at York before finishing down the field behind Almeraq in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
The race will carry additional significance for Kind Of Blue, who is expected to retire to stud at the end of the season.
Standing between Kind Of Blue and an overdue Haydock victory is a strong group headed by Royal Ascot hero Almeraq.
The William Haggas-trained four-year-old emerged as a leading member of the sprint division when defeating Japan’s Satono Reve by a nose in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with Australia’s Joliestar close behind in a blanket finish.
That performance earned Almeraq an official rating of 119, the highest among the leading contenders, and he is expected to be suited should the forecast rain produce testing conditions.
Haggas won the race with Montassib in 2024 and confirmed Almeraq is an intended runner, while stablemate Division is more dependent on the ground.
Division is a previous course-and-distance winner and arrives after finishing second to Samangan in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville. However, his preference for a quick surface means Sunday’s Garrowby Stakes at York could become the more suitable option.
Defending champion Big Mojo will attempt to become only the second horse to win the Sprint Cup twice.
The race was inaugurated in 1966, but only its first winner, Be Friendly, has managed to return and successfully defend the title.
Big Mojo produced a career-best performance when defeating Kind Of Blue last year and comes into his title defence after returning to winning form in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes (G3) at the Curragh.
Michael Appleby’s four-year-old travelled strongly before taking control during the final furlong and defeating Big Gossey by one-and-a-quarter lengths on good-to-firm ground.
He is proven over the course and distance and will again be partnered by William Buick, although softer conditions could present a different challenge from the one he faced last season.
Irish interest is supplied by Comanche Brave, whose victory in the July Cup (G1) at Newmarket established him among Europe’s leading sprinters.
The Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt has shown his best form on quicker ground, however, and connections could switch their attention to the Flying Five Stakes (G1) at the Curragh if conditions deteriorate significantly.
The three-year-old challenge is headed by Coppull, who drops back to six furlongs after winning the Hungerford Stakes (G2) over 1400m at Newbury.
Trained by sprint specialist Clive Cox, Coppull had earlier finished fourth behind Comanche Brave in the July Cup and receives 2lb from the older male runners at Haydock.
Marvelman is another contender with the form to become involved following his third behind Notable Speech and Lake Forest in the City of York Stakes (G1). The Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old has yet to win at Group level but brings a rating of 117 and should not be inconvenienced by rain.
Wathnan could also be represented by Paborus, who returns to six furlongs after finishing eighth in the City of York Stakes.
The lightly raced five-year-old had previously made an impressive return from a year on the sidelines when winning the Chipchase Stakes (G3) at Newcastle, and connections believe the shorter distance and some ease in the ground could bring out further improvement.
Saturday’s race therefore offers several compelling storylines, from Big Mojo’s pursuit of history to Almeraq’s attempt to confirm his place at the head of the division.
For Kind Of Blue, however, it represents one final opportunity to settle unfinished business at Haydock and turn two narrow defeats into a long-awaited Sprint Cup victory.
The Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes is scheduled for 3.40pm local time on Saturday.
By Scott Bailey
