STARSPANGLEDBANNER heads a quality line-up for Saturday’s Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park but a decision on his participation will not be made until later in the week.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old suffered a shock defeat to 100-1 shot Sole Power in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York two weeks ago and is currently a best-priced 5-2 favourite with Ladbrokes and totesport for Haydock’s Group One feature.

Australian import Starspangledbanner, who won both the Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup before his defeat on the Knavesmire was among the 20 entries for the Sprint Cup, but his Ballydoyle trainer is weighing up the options for the star sprinter.

The Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc weekend, the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin and intriguingly the mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot are all possible alternatives to the Haydock contest.

O’Brien said: “Starspangledbanner has done little or nothing since finishing second in the Nunthorpe.

“He’ll do something either on Tuesday or Wednesday and we’ll see how he is before making any plans.”

Last year’s winner Regal Parade is also among 20 five-day confirmations.

David Nicholls’s six-year-old, winner of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, is the 7-2 second favourite with totesport and Paddy Power and will bid to emulate the only dual scorer Be Friendly, who took the first two runnings of the six-furlong contest in 1966 and 1967.

Richard Hannon’s star miler Paco Boy is an interesting entry and connections are seriously considering dropping him back in trip.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon said: “He ran very well in the July Cup (over six furlongs) last year and the owners are keen for him to take his chance. The ground will be to his liking and he’s in good nick at home.”

Hannon added: “He could go for the Prix Moulin at Longchamp instead though; we’ve also left him in that.”

Other horses to stand their ground include perennial Group race performers Borderlescott, Equiano, Prime Defender, High Standing and Kingsgate Native.

One horse who is yet to run in Group company is 2009 Stewards’ Cup winner Genki. But trainer Roger Charlton said: “He’s doing well and the owners are very keen to run him in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, so we’ll see.”

TODAY’S NAP: Angus Newz (3.40pm Leicester).