{"id":290002,"date":"2023-09-08T22:35:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T22:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=290002"},"modified":"2023-09-08T22:35:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T22:35:12","slug":"sacred-can-answer-prayers-of-tom-marquand-as-challenger-to-shaquille","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/horse-racing\/sacred-can-answer-prayers-of-tom-marquand-as-challenger-to-shaquille\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacred can answer prayers of Tom Marquand as challenger to Shaquille"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tom Marquand reckons Sacred can throw down a big challenge to hot favourite Shaquille in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Ebor meeting last month but has under-performed at that track before.<\/p>\n
Marquand said: \u2018Some horses don\u2019t like some tracks and York must just not be for her. Her form apart from that is pretty faultless.<\/p>\n
\u2018Going 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.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tom Marquand reckons that Scared can rival Shaquille for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Shaquille is the odds-on favourite having already won several big sprint races this year\u00a0<\/p>\n
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 \u00a320,000, Saint Lawrence and Rohaan.<\/p>\n
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: \u2018Some punters don\u2019t 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\u2019s stable.\u2019<\/p>\n
Spycatcher, one of the 10-1 second favourites, is likely to be pulled out because the ground is too quick.<\/p>\n