2026 Sprint Cup Tips - French raider appeals in early Haydock betting

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Sat 22 Aug 2026 11:36

Jon Vine 59 minutes ago

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Ante-post tips for the 2026 Sprint Cup
This Group One takes place at Haydock on Saturday 5th September
Stolen Kiss is our ante-post selection at 20/1

Stolen Kiss (right) loses out narrowly to Almeraq (left) in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on day five during Royal Ascot 2026. (Getty)

The biggest race of Haydock Park's flat season takes place at the start of September, as a field of top-quality six-furlong horses do battle in the historic Sprint Cup.

Today, I've taken a look through the ante-post market and picked out my best betting tips.

2026 Sprint Cup Ante-Post Tips - Stolen Kiss

Commanche Brave sits atop the ante-post betting, following that excellent victory in the July Cup. Jubilee Stakes winner Almeraq could bounce back after a ninth-place finish at Newmarket. Coppull cannot be discounted either, following his impressive victory in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

Big Mojo won this race as a three-year-old last term, and returns to Haydock on the back of a timely victory in Ireland. Last year's third, Flora Of Bermuda could make the trip to Haydock after running in the City Of York Stakes. Then there's Kind Of Blue, who has finished second in the last two renewals of the Sprint Cup, and the rain that features in the long-term forecast at Haydock will give James Fanshawe plenty of encouragement.

Soft conditions at Haydock will also suit STOLEN KISS (20/1), who could easily be lining up at Haydock after winning two of the sport's most prestigious six-furlong sprints.

Patrice Cottier dropped his colt back down to sprinting distances at the start of the season, and Stolen Kiss has gone from strength to strength. Alexis Pouchin's mount won a conditions race on his return at Chantilly, before beating a decent yardstick in Sajir twice in Listed races at Deauville and on Chantilly's turf track.

Stolen Kiss was sent off at 33/1 as he made his Group One debut in the Jubilee Stakes. That was by far the fastest ground he's ever raced on, and Pouchin's mount still sat at the back with three furlongs to travel. Yet, once asked for his effort, Stolen Kiss finished like a train, and was only beaten a neck behind Almeraq back in fourth.

It was a similar story for Stolen Kiss in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. Cottier's four-year-old was one of the slowest away again, and found himself in a tricky wide position on the track. Stolen Kiss shifted through the gears well again, but Samagan had stolen a march on his rivals entering the final furlong, and managed to hold Stolen Kiss and the charging Division at arm's length.

Connections said following that placed effort that Haydock was on the agenda, and the owners seem confident that Stolen Kiss would win a Group One come the end of the season. Alexis Pouchin's mount is impossible to rule out on recent form, and I'm excited to see what Stolen Kiss will produce if the Haydock ground does come up suitably soft.

Verdict

2026 Sprint Cup

Stolen Kiss is our ante-post selection in the 2026 Sprint Cup.

Stolen Kiss

2026 Sprint Cup Ante-Post Tips

@20/1 - 5 Units

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