Starspangledbanner looks set to take his chance in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.
Aidan O'Brien's Australian import won the Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup before having to settle for second best behind 100-1 outsider Sole Power in the Nunthorpe.
O'Brien told www.racingpost.com: "We were happy with the bit (of work) Starspangledbanner did (on Wednesday morning) and it looks like he will be going to Haydock, although we will check him out in the morning before a final decision is made. If he goes then Colm O'Donoghue will probably ride."
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Kingsgate Native is on course for Haydock. The five-year-old won the Temple Stakes at the Merseyside track back in May but needs to bounce back to form after disappointing in the Nunthorpe.
Chris Richardson, managing director of the owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "I think the plan is for him to go to Haydock and he has been in good form since York. We were obviously a bit disappointed with him there, but the race wasn't really run to suit.
"They just went a bit too quick for him but he wasn't given a hard time and came out of the race well, so we just hope that he gets a bit of luck in running next time.
"We're certainly hoping for a better performance. The ground should be right for him, he's won at Haydock this year and I think nowadays six furlongs is more his ideal trip than five. We'll just have to see how he gets on."
|
