WHILE Paul Hanagan usually prays for rain when Utmost Respect is running, he hopes for an end to the wet weather to make sure Haydock gets the go-ahead this afternoon.

The Warrington jockey will be on board the Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old in the feature contest, the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup, a race Utmost Respect looks capable of winning.

The heavy conditions mean the progressive sprinter has his ideal conditions as he enters the six-furlong contest with a favourite’s chance.

Hanagan would love nothing more than to secure his first win at the top level at his ‘home’ track of Haydock. He has already won the course’s other premier Flat contest – the Lancashire Oaks – aboard Fahey’s Anna Pavlova in July. Now he is hoping the rain, normally a prerequisite for Utmost Respect, relents enough for him to take the chance of landing the other.

He said: “I am praying that it will be on. The ground is heavy, but I hope it isn’t so heavy that they have to call it off. I will be gutted if it’s not on because he will love the ground and has got a great chance. It is my best chance to have a first Group One winner and it would be unbelievable if we can do it.

“It was like winning the Derby when I won the Group Two Lancashire Oaks earlier in the year, but to win a Group One at Haydock would be just amazing. It is my home track and I love having winners there.”

Utmost Respect arrives on Merseyside in fine form. He landed the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle over six furlongs in soft conditions. And he wasn’t disgraced in his first Group One contest when fourth to star French sprinter Marchand D’Or. With Freddie Head’s charge out through injury, Hanagan is hoping to secure an early birthday present.

The jockey, who will be 28 on Monday, said: “All his best form is on soft ground and he won well at Newcastle. He is in great form. He hasn’t had to do too much since his last run, just working upsides because he is very fit and going really great.

“He ran a superb race in France last time behind Marchand D’Or. He proved there he is up to Group One class and he probably would have been even closer if the ground had been a bit softer. It was probably not soft enough, but the ground at Haydock will be ideal.

“They usually come down the middle, so he seems ideally drawn in nine, but the draw doesn’t usually play too much part at Haydock.”

Hanagan’s career has been intrinsically linked to his favourite track. He first caught the racing bug when his father brought him to Haydock as a youngster. He had his first ride and also his first ever winner at the Merseyside track, while Anna Pavlova’s success was his biggest in the saddle so far.

So he is desperate to add a first Group One to that and cap a season which, with 79 winners so far, is rapidly becoming his most memorable.

The former champion apprentice jockey added: “It is turning out to be my best season ever. I am feeling confident all the time but you always do when the horses are running well. And Richard’s horses have been running consistently well all season.

“There hasn’t really been a period where they have been out of form, so hopefully that can continue. But to win the Sprint Cup would be just the icing on the cake.”

Haydock will have to pass a 7am precautionary inspection if it is to be given the green light.

The going is currently described as soft, heavy in places but with yesterday’s rain and more forecast, clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: “In order to keep people up to date with events, we have decided to call a precautionary inspection.”

HAYDOCK PREDICTIONS:

2.05pm Lady Deauville

2.35pm Strike Up The Band

3.10pm (Betfred Sprint Cup) Utmost Respect (NAP)

3.40pm La Vecchia Scuola

4.15pm Fol Liam

4.45pm Captain Ellis

5.15pm Tasheba

TOMORROW’S NAP: Squirtle (4pm Thirsk), if abandoned Tempsford (3.10pm Fontwell).