SATURDAY’S Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock could have been an anti-climax, as Group 1s go, given the number of absentees going into the race. Blue Point had already been retired, while Advertise was a late defection with a vet’s certificate and connections of Ten Sovereigns swerved the race at less than 24 hours’ notice due to the going.

In the end, though, it shaped up pretty well with Hello Youmzain winning with authority and in one of the better times, over any distance, of the season so far.