Glen Shiel on course for Sprint Cup with Hollie Doyle booked to ride

Glen Shiel is firmly on course for the Group One Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday and will be partnered by the in-form Hollie Doyle.

Bought for £45,000 from Godolphin at Goffs in 2019, Hambleton Racing’s six-year-old has thrived since dropped to six furlongs this year, winning three of his last four starts, and was successful in the Group Three Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh last time out.

The six-furlong showpiece will be the gelding’s first tilt at the highest level and has been pleasing trainer Archie Watson with his work at home.

“He came out of his Curragh win really well and I’m delighted with him at home,” Watson said.

“He’s a Group winner now so deserves to take his chance in these Group One sprints. The fact he goes on any ground is a big help with the weather at the moment.”

Doyle, fresh from riding a record-breaking five-timer at Windsor on Saturday, has ridden Glen Shiel to victory twice in the past and will be seeking her first Group One victory.

The rising star also boasts a fine record in the Hambleton silks, including winning the Al Rayyan Stakes in Doha and the Listed Moonlight Cloud Stakes at Deauville aboard the Watson-trained Maystar.

Hambleton Racing’s Cosmo Charlton reports Glen Shiel's owners can’t wait for their talented sprinter to run at Haydock. He said:

“Glen’s owners are counting down the days to Saturday’s race. To compete in these big races with a horse that didn’t cost a fortune is very much the horse racing syndicate blueprint. He’s a fantastic horse who we may not have seen the best of yet.”

Glen Shiel is a best-priced 25-1 to win the Betfair Sprint Cup, with the betting headed by July Cup winner Oxted at a general 4-1. Watch who fares best live on Racing TV at 3.25pm.