ALMERAQ is the logical favourite for this afternoon’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. William Haggas’ horse has bounced back bravely this season from a horror fall at York last September. He won the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury on his debut this term, and put up an outstanding performance in winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It’s an all-indigenous affair this afternoon, and the Dark Angel colt is the highest-rated of the nonad, but he is short, and he does have to bounce back from a poor run in the July Cup last time. He had never run at Newmarket before, and perhaps the fast ground was against him. He should appreciate the ground at Haydock today, and he sets the standard.