Harry Angel can fly to sprinting crown
HARRY ANGEL can cement his place at the top of the British sprinting division by claiming his second successive Group One in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock.
The son of Dark Angel proved his liking for this course when breaking the track record in the Sandy Lane Stakes back in May, albeit on firm ground, before finding only Caravaggio too good in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
His trainer and jockey were adamant he should have won after the race, and Harry Angel proved those assertions to be somewhat true when reversing the form in scintillating style last time out in the July Cup.
An important factor will be the weather, and all eyes will be fixed on the Merseyside venue to see just how much of the forecast rain arrives.
A real deluge would go against the selection and aid the chances of principal rivals Tasleet and Brando, but so long as conditions are not too testing, Clive Cox’s stable star can confirm Newmarket form, despite being 4lb worse off at the weights.
Tim Easterby has been in flying form of late and My Reward can defy top weight in the 32Red Casino Handicap.
The five-year-old took a Listed race at Chester on Saturday in the hands of David Allan and Rachel Richardson takes over the reins this time round claiming a useful 3lb.
His trainer reported the gelding did not have the hardest of races on the Roodee and his run beforehand behind Magic Circle makes for good reading after that rival finished fifth in the Ebor at York.
My Reward seems to be in good heart at the moment and has previously won with ease in the ground, so soft ground should not trouble him.
Invincible Army can finally claim that elusive first win in Pattern company when he tackles the totepool Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.
James Tate’s charge has mixed it with some of the best juveniles around so far this term and his second in the Gimcrack at York looks to be rock-solid form.
His trainer is more adept than most when it comes to saddling a winner on the all-weather and this race looks a slightly easier task than the son of Invincible Spirit has been set previously.
Sheikha Reika can make her debut a winning one in the Lavazza Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Ascot.
Roger Varian’s beautifully-bred filly is a full-sister to Lumiere, winner of the Group One Cheveley Park as a two-year-old for Mark Johnston and who dazzled on her first outing by an impressive six lengths.
She will need to make a similar impression here if she is to justify her entries in the Rockfel and Fillies’ Mile later on in the season, but with Andrea Atzeni aboard, she is fancied to account for her rivals despite some in the field boasting racecourse experience.