The ground at Haydock Park for this week's three-day meeting is expected to be on the slow side when the event begins on Thursday. Daniel Cooper, the clerk of the course, reported via Zoom on Tuesday that the track received 17mm of rain over Sunday and Monday, with an additional 1 mm on Tuesday. This has left the ground slow, and Cooper anticipates it will remain that way for at least 48 hours. Despite forecasts for better weather, he expects the weather to remain "soft" for Thursday and Friday. The chance of the ground firming up by Saturday’s £400,000 Betfair Sprint Cup seems slim, though there is still a possibility of better conditions by the weekend.
Kevin Ryan, the trainer of Sprint Cup favourite Inisherin, was also on the Zoom call and said he would not be concerned about the ground conditions for his Commonwealth Cup winner. However, he suggested that "loose ground" might have contributed to Inisherin’s disappointing fifth in the July Cup at Newmarket and mentioned the possibility of stepping up in distance next year.
Here are five runners to watch for the meeting:
SILVER PEAK
Race: WATCH ON RACING TV EBF NOVICE STAKES (3:40 Thursday)
15:40 Haydock Park
Odds: 15/8
Charlie Appleby has won this mile novice race for the past three years with promising performers. Silver Peak, who fits the profile of Appleby’s previous winners, made a solid debut with a fourth-place finish at Kempton last month. Although he looked a bit raw, he finished strongly and pulled clear of the rest. The Dubawi colt, who cost €1,250,000 as a yearling and is out of a dam related to the top-class Persian King, is expected to build on his debut experience.
ELLADONNA
Race: BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF REPROCOLOR PREMIER FILLIES' HANDICAP (4:50 Thursday)
16:50 Haydock Park
Odds: 7/2
James Fanshawe, who won the Sprint Cup with The Tin Man seven years ago, could be celebrating again with Elladonna in this ten-furlong handicap. This lightly raced filly has shown impressive form since being fitted with a hood, winning at Nottingham and Salisbury, with the third home from her Salisbury win having since achieved a shock Listed victory. Although she’s been raised 8lb for these wins, she should improve further. Elladonna missed Glorious Goodwood due to ground conditions but may benefit from the softer ground at Haydock. William Buick, who rode her to victory at Nottingham, will be back aboard.
STORMY IMPACT
Race: TATTERSALLS £40,000 EBF FILLIES NOVICE STAKES (2:35 Friday)
14:35 Haydock Park
This two-year-old filly, trained by Richard Fahey and owned by Steve Bradley, is a half-sister to The Ridler, the 2022 Norfolk winner. She has shown ability in her first two starts, finishing as runner-up on both occasions. The drop to 5f may not have suited her last time out, but returning to 6f should play to her strengths. With First Instinct carrying a penalty, Stormy Impact could make the most of her opportunity.
EPIC POET
Race: BETFAIR EXCHANGE OLD BOROUGH CUP HANDICAP (2:25 Saturday)
Epic Poet looks primed for a big handicap win. He finished a commendable fourth in the Ebor and was previously runner-up in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. Although he only has a fortnight’s rest from York, his relatively light campaign this season means he should be well-prepared for this challenge. He is generally priced at 4/1, but it’s possible he could go off shorter.
SWINGALONG
Race: BETFAIR SPRINT CUP (3:35 Saturday)
Odds: 8/1
Karl Burke’s chestnut filly has had a consistent year in Group One races, finishing 34422. Her close fourth in last year’s Sprint Cup, despite being drawn wide, showed her potential. Recent narrow defeats to Khadeem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and Mill Stream in the July Cup indicate she’s in top form. With William Buick set to ride, and Clifford Lee choosing to ride Elite Status, Swingalong could be a strong contender at 8/1.