Sacred can answer the prayers of Tom Marquand as the jockey throws down Betfair Sprint Cup challenge to red-hot favourite Shaquille
- Tom Marquand believes that Sacred can challenge for the Betfair Sprint Cup
- The horse can rival odds-one favourite Shaquille in the race at Haydock
- Sacred is among several options backed as second favourite for the race
Tom Marquand reckons Sacred can throw down a big challenge to hot favourite Shaquille in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.
The William Haggas-trained mare, who is chasing a first Group One success, is one of a clutch of each-way options that have been backed with the sponsors in a lopsided betting contest where no runner other than Shaquille is shorter than 10-1.
Sacred was beaten a neck by Khaadem in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. She ran below expectations over seven furlongs at York’s Ebor meeting last month but has under-performed at that track before.
Marquand said: ‘Some horses don’t like some tracks and York must just not be for her. Her form apart from that is pretty faultless.
‘Going back to a flat six furlongs on fast ground should be right up her alley. She has shown on so many occasions that she belongs at this level.’
Tom Marquand reckons that Scared can rival Shaquille for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock
Shaquille is the odds-on favourite having already won several big sprint races this year
Betfair have cut the odds of Sacred to 10-1 from 12s. Other runners to attract interest with the sponsors include Mill Stream, who was added to the line-up on Monday for £20,000, Saint Lawrence and Rohaan.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: ‘Some punters don’t like backing odds-on shots so have been looking for each-way options especially as there are a few questions about the recent form of the favourite’s stable.’
Spycatcher, one of the 10-1 second favourites, is likely to be pulled out because the ground is too quick.
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