Lethal Force can land third Group 1 in Haydock Sprint Cup

After impressive wins in both the Golden Jubilee Sakes and July Cup, it is difficult to argue against the case of this season’s sprinting star Lethal Force in the Betfred Sprint Cup at 9/4.

That July Cup win in particular led to many proclamations that the grey had established himself as one of the best European sprinters of recent years and it was easy to see why given the nature of his performance.

Winning by one-and-a-half lengths, Clive Cox’s stable-star smashed the course track record which was set in 1999 under another excellent ride from Adam Kirby. Kirby sent his charge to the front and made all up the stands’ rail, kicked clear two furlongs out and extended an unassailable advantage over the field.

It was a fantastic effort and one which silenced any doubters over the credibility of his win at Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee. Kirby employed similar tactics that day and again the four-year-old produced a kick that none of his rivals could compete with.

If his early season campaign has not been too vigorous, it is difficult to see anything other than a third Group 1 victory.

Cox’s leading light will be sent off as favourite for the race and will hope to become the fourth market-topper in 11 renewals to land the contest, with the previous three returning a level stakes profit of 3.25.

Some may look to his last performance in a Group 1 at Deauville in which he was outpaced in the final furlong to finish runner-up and suggest that he is vulnerable this time out.

However, back at six furlongs he can bounce back to his excellent best and given that nine of the last 11 winners failed to land their previous race, it could be argued that is a positive rather than a negative.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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