Kevin Ryan's Inisherin heads sixteen stellar declarations for Saturday's Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.
The Kevin Ryan-trained Commonwealth Cup hero will be looking to bounce back from his fifth-place finish in the July Cup Stakes at Newmarket last month and is a best-priced 7/2 to do so. Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who recently removed his horses from trainer Roger Varian, will hold a strong hand in the top-level six-furlong contest, with Elite Status also confirmed to carry the infamous gold and black spotted silks at Haydock on Saturday.
Elite Status will bid to complete the hat-trick on his step up to Group 1 level after back-to-back wins at Newbury this season and is one of a trio of contenders for trainer Karl Burke, who also saddles the last-time-out Deauville scorer Spycatcher and the speedy Swingalong, who finished fourth in this contest twelve months ago.
Clive Cox's Jasour missed his engagement over five furlongs at Glorious Goodwood due to a setback but has made a full recovery in time to take his place at the Merseyside venue. Richard Hannon will be hoping his contender Shouldvebeenaring can go one spot better than when grabbing the silver medal last year, while William Haggas will be doubly represented by Chipchase Stakes hero Montassib and Wokingham Stakes champion Unequal Love. The former got the better of Kinross at Newcastle, but there will be no rematch with the Ralph Beckett-trained fan-favourite not featuring amongst the final sixteen declarations this morning.
The likeable grey Art Power will bid for his first success of the season, while James Fanshawe saddles Blue For You in his attempt to land another Betfair Sprint Cup.
Mick Appleby's Annaf makes his reappearance and will be ridden by Rossa Ryan. Connections of Andrew Balding's Flora Of Bermuda were happy to stump up the £20,000 supplementary fee on Monday, while the Group 1 winning juvenile Bucanero Fuerte is one of three horses who will make the journey across from Ireland. Jessica Harrington's Givemethebeatboys and Ken Condon's Moss Tucker will also make the trip across the Irish Sea.
Charlie Fellowes' Vadream, who will appreciate any extra give in the ground, rounds out the stellar field of sixteen.
