"Elite Status could pull that little bit more out" - Clifford Lee confirms Sprint Cup riding plans

Commonwealth Cup winner, Inisherin currently heads the betting for Saturday's Group One feature at Merseyside. Sitting second in the market is fellow three-year-old Elite Status, who was forced to miss a showdown with Inisherin at Royal Ascot after meeting with a slight setback.

Elite Status has been impressive on his two starts so far this season, winning the Carnarvon Stakes on his reappearance before a half-length victory in the Hackwood Stakes. Burke has been busy preparing his star three-year-old for the Sprint Cup since that Group Three triumph and the trainer told the press on Tuesday that he's been pleased with Elite Status' prep.

"Inisherin is a very good horse, but if we'd been able to run at Ascot I think we'd have been bang there with him." Burke said to the press.

"Nobody knows whether we'd have beaten him, but we'd certainly have been in the same ballpark."

"He's a very good horse and the plan is for him to stay in training next year, which is great," said Burke. "I hope he can prove he's a Group 1 horse on Saturday.

"Since Ascot, he hasn't touched the knock that he got, so fingers crossed he's over that and we can drive on with him."

The second Karl Burke runner to feature prominently in the market is four-year-old filly Swingalong. A one-and-a-half length fourth in this race 12 months ago, Swingalong returns to Haydock on the back of runner-up finishes in both the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup.

"She worked exceptionally well on Friday." Burke confirmed. "She wears her heart on her sleeve. She's been unlucky not to get her head in front in a Group 1 and she's in great form."

"It's going to be a tough decision for Clifford Lee to choose which one he rides."

Since this interview was published, riding plans have been confirmed. Clifford Lee has opted to partner with Elite Status, leaving William Buick to pick up the spare ride on Swingalong.

Before confirming his decision, Lee spoke to the press and intimated that he was leaning towards the three-year-old.

"As the ground shows at the minute, I think it would go to Elite Status and I can't see it drying out." said Lee. 

"Swingalong prefers quick ground but I could change my mind depending on the weather and I don't know yet. It will be at declarations when I do make my mind up."

"Swingalong loves the quick ground whereas Elite Status has won on both (soft and firm) now. Swingalong is a good filly and I've just been beaten twice in Group 1s with her now but I think Elite Status could just pull that little bit more out of the bag."

"Elite Status broke his own track record at Newbury last time and I feel there's more to come out of him. Swingalong will win a nice one but, to improve, I think Elite Status is the one."

Elite Status can be backed at 6/1 to win the Sprint Cup, with Swingalong a couple of points further adrift at 8s. The full betting for the 2024 Sprint Cup can be found here on our website.