The first major meeting in September takes place at Haydock Park, where the Sprint Cup headlines the card. This six-furlong contest has been won by sprinting legends like Be Friendly, Moorestyle and Danehill down the years, and a surprisingly small field has been declared for Saturday's renewal.
Here's our guide to the 2026 Sprint Cup, including our best betting tips.
2026 Sprint Cup Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Almeraq | 3/1 |
| Kind Of Blue | 5/1 |
| Marvelman | 6/1 |
| Big Mojo | 7/1 |
| Coppull | 8/1 |
| Bar | 12/1 |
*Odds updated 3/9/2026*
2026 Sprint Cup Runners
The market for Saturday's feature is topped by Almeraq, who claimed his maiden Group One win with a flying finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, but failed to fire in the July Cup, finishing ninth of the 11 runners.
James Fanshawe's Kind Of Blue returns to Haydock having finished second in the last two renewals of this Group One. Big Mojo beat Kind Of Blue in this race 12 months ago, and Mick Appleby's stable star will return to Haydock on the back of a Group Three victory in Ireland.
Coppull kept on well to finish fourth behind Comanche Brave in the July Cup, and bounced back to winning form in the Hungerford Stakes on his most recent start at Newbury. The soft-ground-loving Marvelman has been backed into a single-figure price since PJ McDonald was confirmed in the saddle, and Andrew Balding's market mover will be looking to build on an excellent third in the City Of York Stakes last time out.
Chipchase Stakes winner Paborus will represent Ed Bethell and Wathnan Racing. Former King Charles II Stakes winner American Affair looks set for a step up to six furlongs. James's Delight will represent Clive Cox. Richard Hannon's Aramram complete the line-up.
2026 Sprint Cup Tips
For the first time since 1997, fewer than 10 runners will contest the Sprint Cup. That low turnout for this year's renewal could be due to the ground. The going is currently soft at Haydock, and there's further rain due on Thursday night and throughout Friday.
Despite the underfoot conditions, a decent early pace is expected. Big Mojo and Marvelman like to lead, with American Affair and Paborus likely to go forward too. Such a set-up should suit ALMERAQ (3/1), and I'll be backing William Haggas' Royal Ascot winner to bounce back to top form.
Tom Marquand gave Almeraq a fantastic ride in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Haggas' lightly raced four-year-old was held up behind a fairly fast pace. Marquand had to be patient to find a path to the post, but once he asked his mount for an effort, Almeraq flew home to pip two top-quality international raiders to the post.
Haggas' star was then a huge disappointment in the July Cup, beating only two horses home after fading badly in the closing stages. The ground was even quicker at Newmarket than it had been at Royal Ascot, and maybe the sharp turnaround between the meetings didn't suit a horse who was making just his eighth career start.
Almeraq seemed to relish soft ground earlier in his career, and Haggas seemed really keen to run his top sprinter once the weather forecast became clear. Given how unpredictable this division is, I'm loath to back short-priced runners in sprints. Yet, the ground should be ideal for Almeraq, the pace set-up will suit, and he's probably just the best horse in this underwhelming contest.
Visit our Sprint Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Haydock via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Sprint Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Haydock via a mobile or tablet.