Dream Ahead is the new 7/2 favourite (from 9/2) with the sponsors for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday after it emerged that ante-post favourite Deacon Blues was ‘unlikely’ to run after failing to sparkle in his final workout.
Trainer James Fanshawe scoped the gelding after the workout and it transpired that the Wokingham winner had some mucus in his lungs which put his participation on Saturday in serious doubt.
Stewards’ Cup winner Hoof It is now the 9/2 second-favourite (from 6/1) with the sponsors whilst July Cup runner-up Bated Breath has been cut to 13/2 (from 8/1).
“It would have been fascinating to see how Deacon Blues coped with the step up to the highest level on Saturday but he looks very unlikely to take part now which means Dream Ahead is now the 7/2 favourite to land his second Group 1 of the season,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.
James Fanshawe’s other entry in the race is Society Rock, who landed the first Group 1 of his career when landing the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the four-year-old has been left at 13/2 by Betfred after this afternoon's news.
Betfred Sprint Cup – sponsors bet: 7/2 (from 9/2) Dream Ahead, 9/2 (from 6) Hoof It, 6 (from 8) Bated Breath, 13/2 Society Rock, 9 Delegator, 12 (from 14) Elzaam, 16 Bewtiched, Genki, Wootton Bassett, 20 Sole Power, 25 Hitchens, Kingsgate Native, Masamah, 33 Dalghar, Tiddliwinks, 40 Doncaster Rover.
1/4 odds 1-2-3
