Ryan: Hello Youmzain the one to beat in the Sprint Cup

Hello Youmzain is primed for a big run in Saturday's Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, according to his assistant trainer Adam Ryan. 

The four-year-old was a game winner of this race last year, and catapulted himself to the top of the sprinting division with another battling victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. 

Hello Youmzain has been defeated twice since, most recently when second to Space Blues in last month's Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, meaning that he is the current second favourite behind Dream Of Dreams - who was a clear cut winner of last month's Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. 

If successful, he would be the first horse to win the Group 1 contest since Be Friendly in 1966 and 1967, but Ryan has reported his charge to be in good form, and is anticipating a big run.

He said: "Hello Youmzain came out of France in great order. He takes his racing very well and is exactly where we want him at this point.

"I think you have to be confident about his chance. He has great form at Haydock - the only time he has been beaten there was on his second start as a two-year-old and that was by a horse (San Donato) who would go on to finish third in the French 2,000 Guineas.

"Haydock clearly plays to his strengths and he goes there as the defending champion. I think it is fair to say that he is arguably the one they all have to beat.

"It would be great achievement for the horse and the team if he could win the Sprint Cup again, as only one other horse has managed it. He has been a pleasure to train this year and has definitely proved himself as one of the best sprinters around."

Meanwhile, the Kevin Ryan team are also due to be represented by both the admirable veteran Brando, who was second behind The Tin Man in the 2018 renewal of this race, and the improving four-year-old Queen Jo Jo. 

And Ryan has reported both to be in good heart; "You know what you are going to get from Brando. Unfortunately, he has missed a couple of engagements this year due to the ground and so we had to get a run into him before Haydock over a trip that was further than ideal (finished sixth in the Group 2 City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs).

"The drop back to six furlongs with a strong gallop is exactly what he wants. There is still life in the old boy yet and I would not be surprised to see him run another big race.

"Queen Jo Jo is in the form of her life, having won a Group 3 and been Group 2 placed this season. She is thriving at the minute and when these fillies get on a roll, you never quite know where they might end up. She deserves a crack at this."