Haydock Sprint Cup Day Tips & Predictions (2025)

ITV viewers in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch five televised races from Haydock Park on Saturday, including the feature – the Group 1 Sprint Cup. 

The Haydock Sprint Cup was the brainchild of the late owner-breeder Robert Sangster and was originally sponsored by Vernon’s Pools Company.

Up until 1979, the contest took place in early November. Since then, it has been staged on the first Saturday in September. The race became a Group One contest in 1988 and has a total prize fund of £400,000 in 2025.

1.15pm – 1m Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3)

With the forecast indicating some rain about on Saturday, it may prove prudent to give PRAGUE (E/W)  the vote in the first race on the card.

A close second in last year’s renewal of this race, this son of Galileo has proven form on soft going, as was shown when he landed the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket last September.

At horse racing odds of around 6/1, he’s a great each-way price.

1.50pm – 1m Ascendant Stakes (Listed Race)

Ascending to the winner’s podium once more, can be the Gosden’s charge PUBLISH (NAP).

The Kingman-colt has looked very accomplished in his first two runs over seven furlongs at Sandown, and this step up to a mile is the natural progression for this bloodline.

For win purposes, he holds excellent claims and will be popular in sports betting for this race.

2.25pm – 1m6f Handicap

Jessica Harrington’s WINSTON JUNIOR has been knocking on the door of late, and Haydock’s 1m6f course configuration and going, could well play to his strengths this weekend.

Further aided by  Keithen Kennedy’s 5lb claim, the chances of a bold show look good.

3.00pm – 1m6f Old Borough Cup Handicap

The Ian Williams-trained DANCING IN PARIS (E/W) is a very solid performer, and should give each-way punters yet another good run for their money in this 1m6f handicap.

After a one-off spin over hurdles at Cheltenham last October, the versatile five-year-old has run some superb races on the flat this term, and deserves to land one for his consistency alone.

He finished a close second in the Northumberland Plate, did the same in the Summer Handicap at Glorious Goodwood, and was on the premises again in the Stayers Handicap at the Ebor meeting. With all this in mind, I can see him being in the shake-up once more under Saffie Osborne.

3.35pm – 6f Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1)

There’s an excellent turn out for the Sprint Cup this year, with two raiders coming over from France to further compliment the field.

I actually fancy one of the French horses, but not the well-touted Lazzat, but the slightly less talked about BEAUVATIER (E/W).

Even if the rain doesn’t arrive on Saturday itself, enough has fallen in the preceding days to make the going a bit tacky and Yann Barberot’s four-year-old-colt does not like lightening quick conditions.

Amongst other races, he ran a cracker in the Prix de la Foret (Arc weekend) last term, and was a decisive winner of the Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville in July. He will certainly be under-bet in this feature and should go off at a nice starting price.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*