A wide open sprinting division but this 4-1 chance can confirm himself the superstar of the lot

A HORSE, a horse, my kingdom for a fast horse!

A slight adaptation of Richard III’s famous lines, and luckily for us if we fail to find a top equine sprinter this season it won’t involve any of us fighting to our death — you would hope!

That all said, boy would it be nice if a proper dasher romped to success in this afternoon’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The feature six-furlong Group 1 is one of nine contests shown in a bonanza nine-race show on ITV.

Rarely has the sprinting division in the UK been more open than it is right this second.

At the top level during Royal Ascot the King Charles III (over five furlongs) went to Australian raider Asfoora, while the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) fell to old boy Khaadem.

At Newmarket the July Cup (6f) was grabbed by Mill Stream, while Bradsell took the Nunthorpe (5f) at York.

Bradsell’s success was only last month, so he has yet to race again since.

But Asfoora, Khaadem and Mill Stream have been beaten in every race they have contested since their major victory. Oh dear.

At one point this term it looked like we had a chosen one emerging.

When he landed the Sandy Lane at today’s course and then the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Inisherin did what many legendary sprinters have done in the past.

I’m thinking the likes of Marwell, Chief Singer, Green Desert and Ajdal (who even went on to tackle the Derby!), who failed to stay in the 2000 Guineas and dropped in trip in order to gain star status.

But no sooner had he looked the real deal, Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old’s trailed home in fifth behind Mill Stream as the 11-8f for the July Cup.

A false dawn or a minor blip? That is the question?

The question has no easy answer, but the way he powered clear at Royal Ascot is not easily forgotten.

Inisherin returns today against a huge field including Elite Status, also owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum.

Everyone wants a go, because no horse has the fear factor. There’s certainly no Battaash, Blue Point or Muhaarar lying around . . . 

Elite Status was meant to meet Inisherin at Royal Ascot, but missed the Commonwealth Cup and has since landed his second minor success of 2024 at Newbury.

He is another to promise much and the best could still be to come from such a speedy customer.

Also in today’s line-up is Swingalong, the July Cup and Queen Elizabeth II runner-up, who has been tough as teak this year.

You also have Jasour, who hasn’t enjoyed some juice in the ground since hacking up at Ascot in May and could be another to post a career-best effort.

I wouldn’t totally give up on Art Power, either, if you fancy a shock.

He’s been beaten over seven furlongs of late but at the end of last season was the 40-1 victor of the six-furlong Champions Sprint at Ascot when there was some dig in the ground.

Let’s be honest, in this division right now, a shock is more than plausible.

That all said, I’ll give INISHERIN another chance to show he’s the real deal.

It’s easy to do so if, like me, you think ground might be significant for him.

His dam, Ajman Princess, had plenty of form with give including a second in the Ribblesdale and third in the Pinnacle at this course.

It was soft for the Sandy Lane, but of course good to firm when Inisherin took the Commonwealth Cup.

I think his class pulled him through that day, but the surface at Haydock this weekend should be ideal.

His trainer Ryan said: “We’ve had an uninterrupted run and all his work has gone to plan when we wanted it to.

“He is very fresh and well. Knowing the horse, we haven’t had a concern with him in any of his work and I’m confident we are in the right place.”

Interestingly on the going, the handler added: “When Inisherin ran in the Sandy Lane I was worried it might be a bit soft for him but he handled it really, really well and then obviously went and won on opposite ground at Ascot.

“He might be quite a unique sprinter in that he can handle fast ground and softer conditions too. I have no concerns about the ground at Haydock.”

Next week it’s back to Classic action with the Betfred St Leger and a chance for Economics to show he’s one of the best on the planet in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Before those two races the middle distance pecking order is fairly clear for all to see with Goliath and City of Troy topping the latest Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

Now, though, it’s the chance of Inisherin to climb up the ratings and restore faith in European sprinters.

Can he do it? The jury says he can on this occasion.

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