Banner named in Sprint field

July Cup winner among 16 runners

Last updated: 2nd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Starspangledbanner: in Sprint Cup field

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Starspangledbanner has been named in the final field of 16 runners for Saturday's Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Having moved from Australia, the Aidan O'Brien-trained chestnut has already won two Group One races on British soil, the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Cup.

However, he had to make do with the runner-up spot behind 100-1 shot Sole Power in last month's Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Colm O'Donoghue takes the mount as stable jockey Johnny Murtagh is riding at Leopardstown.

A number of other horses beaten at York will also line up, with Nunthorpe fourth Prime Defender, the sixth home Borderlescott and the ninth-placed Kingsgate Native all confirmed.

Meanwhile, last year's winner on Merseyside, Regal Parade, defends his crown in good form having enjoyed Group One success in France.

Other contenders include Markab, Doncaster Rover and Mark Johnston's filly Rainfall but the Barry Hills-trained Equiano is a notable absentee.

Hills' son and assistant Charlie said connections are not 100 per cent happy with Equiano at home, but he is hoping for a strong performance from Prime Defender.

"We weren't completely happy with Equiano when he did a breeze on Wednesday, so we just decided not to run him," Hills said.

"We just want to give him a bit more time really. He didn't run great at York either so we'll give him time and maybe look at the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

"Prime Defender ran a great race at York over a trip that isn't ideal for him.

"The extra furlong on Saturday will definitely help him and he's won at Haydock a couple of times before, so hopefully he'll run well."

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