Horse Racing Betting Tips: Harry always an Angel away from Ascot
ENGLAND unfortunately didn’t end 52 years of hurt in Russia this summer, but tomorrow HARRY ANGEL can become the first dual winner of Haydock’s Sprint Cup (4.15pm) since Be Friendly landed back-to-back renewals in 1966 and 1967.
This event was established the year Bobby Moore and co celebrated England’s greatest footballing moment, and it was legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan who was celebrating when his colt landed the first two runnings.
Since then no horse has managed to double up in this race, which earned Group One status in 1988, although Harry Angel is a red-hot favourite to do so tomorrow afternoon.
In recent years Clive Cox has had the Midas touch with sprinters, so when he says that Harry Angel is the best he has trained you have to sit up and take notice.
There is no doubt that the son of Dark Angel is the most talented horse in the field, but he had a dreadful experience in the stalls at Royal Ascot which ultimately meant his race was over before it began.
That wasn’t the first time he has shown quirks during his career and, in a similar vein to Battaash, there is always the potential for him to boil over.
Even though there have arguably been excuses for each of his five defeats at Ascot, the stats simply don’t lie; he’s never won there and remains unbeaten in five starts away from the Berkshire track.
Cox’s star sprinter has ventured up the M6 to Haydock twice before, where on both occasions he has delivered electrifying performances.
He broke the track record when winning last year’s Sandy Lane Stakes, before taking this very race 12 months ago by four lengths.
His reappearance success at York in May when conceding 5lbs to Brando and Sir Dancealot, who both reoppose tomorrow, was another excellent display that marked him down as a very special horse.
On his day there isn’t a six-furlong sprinter in Europe who can live with him and as long as the puncture wound that he suffered from the nasty stalls incident at Ascot hasn’t left its mark, he should be far too good for this field.
Cox wisely decided to skip a repeat bid in the July Cup at Newmarket, giving his charge plenty of time to recover and he can reap the benefits.
With rain forecast, odds against looks serious value and I would advise snapping up Coral’s 5/4.
The Tin Man is the obvious each-way play having finished third and second in the last two renewals.
He has run well on all three starts this campaign, but has always preferred a sounder surface so connections will be hoping the rain stays away.
I think James Garfield will get run off his feet over this trip, while the same concerns apply to Sir Dancealot, although he is in flying form and could sneak into the places.
The last four winners have all been three-year-olds, but this year’s contingent from that age group look fairly weak.
Commonwealth Cup winner Eqtidaar needs to bounce back from a tame effort in the July Cup, but Speak In Colours could go well for Joseph O’Brien at a big price.
The rest of the action at Haydock looks tricky, especially with uncertainty about how much rain is going to fall.
However, one thing you can nearly always rely on at Haydock is that Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote will get on the scoresheet.
I’m hoping that’s the case in the Listed Ascendant Stakes (3.00pm) where the duo combine with GREAT SCOT who won here over seven furlongs back in July.
That was a fine effort and the form was franked on Tuesday when the horse he beat, Line Of Duty, won a decent race at Goodwood.
Following that my selection was beaten just a head in third in a Listed event over a mile at Deauville last month and he looks the bet at 7/2 with Ladbrokes.
Likely favourite Beatboxer is stepping up in grade and is unproven with cut in the ground.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Great Scot 3.00pm Haydock
Harry Angel 4.15pm Haydock