Smart eyes Sprint prize with Hellvelyn

Sep 6 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

BRYAN SMART expects Hellvelyn to run a big race in Saturday’s BetFred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.

The three-year-old, who won the Coventry Stakes last year and was also second to Holy Roman Emperor at Group One level, was back in form, winning the Listed Beverley Bullet Stakes last time.

He was four and a quarter lengths behind warm favourite Sakhee’s Secret in the July Cup, but Smart hopes Hellvelyn’s Beverley success is just the confidence booster that can see him get closer in Saturday’s Group One feature at the Merseyside track.

Smart said: “We are really pleased we found a race in between to give him a sharpener – even though it was over five (furlongs).

“He’s come back after the race and knows he’s won and he’s his usual boy of a self at home so that’s good.

“You’ve got to be positive (at turning the July Cup form around).

“My head lad rode him a nice piece over three and a half furlongs and said he felt as good, if not better than when he went for the Bullet.”

Sakhee’s Secret is now the 5-4 favourite with most firms.

While Hellvelyn is set to take his chance Soldier’s Tale is the latest horse expected to miss the Haydock showpiece due to the prevailing good to firm conditions.

Peter Chapple-Hyam’s duo, Dutch Art and Al Qasi, are also doubts due to the ground and Jeremy Noseda said of his Golden Jubilee Stakes winner: “Soldier’s Tale is in very good order.

“He is all set, ready to go but I don’t think it’s going to happen as it is unlikely that the ground conditions will suit him.”

TODAY’S NAP: Methaaly (2.10pm Salisbury).