Rain arrives for Garswood in Haydock Sprint Cup

Many punters have been keeping their powder dry this week with the prospect of heavy rain on Friday threatening a change in the going at the north west track. One trainer hoping that the ground does not deteriorate further is Clive Cox who saddles the favourite Lethal Force in the feature race.

The grey has been purchased by Cheveley Park with a career at stud beckoning after his emphatic victory in the July Cup at Newmarket. He was beaten in France by the classy Moonlight Cloud over an extended six furlongs in France last time out but will not want the going to turn heavy.

Richard Fahey’s Garswood has been the best-backed horse in recent days as he has shown his best form with some cut in the ground. He appeared to need every yard of the seven furlongs at Goodwood last time out and the more rain that falls the better for him.

The Group 3 Superior Mile should go the way of Richard Hannon’s progressive Montiridge. Some in the yard regarded the son of Ramonti as the best of the stable’s colts at the start of the season. The fact that the yard also has Toronado and Olympic Glory illustrates just how highly this colt is regarded.

He cruised alongside Tawhid in a similar contest at Goodwood last time before quickening clear and there is no reason to expect a different outcome here. Nine Realms in the unknown quantity of the race and has the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle.

The Old Borough Cup at 3.15 is as competitive as ever and Luca Cumani has high hopes of the improving Semeen. The son of Dubawi is on a hat-trick after winning both here and at Newmarket.

The favourite is Sir Mark Prescott’s Pallasator who was an ante-post gamble for the Ebor Handicap but did not make the final line up. It will take a smart performance to defy top weight on his reappearance and it may pay to side with Poyle Thomas who battled on bravely to win at Newbury last time.

Selections; 2.05 Harrison George, 2.40 Montiridge (NAP), 3.15 Poyle Thomas, 3.50 Garswood (nb), 4.25 Song of Rowland, 5.00 Stars Over The Sea, 5.30 Statutory