Minardi and Mull Of Kintyre have emerged as Aidan O'Brien's most likely runners in the £150,000 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday. The Ballydoyle trainer was responsible for eight of the 23 five-day confirmations for the six-furlong Group One event at the Merseyside track.
It had been expected that King Charlemagne would lead the assault on the Haydock prize following his victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville three weeks ago, but he may not take his chance.
"Minardi and Mull of Kintyre are the most likely runners, King Charlemagne won his Group One last time and we'd like to let the others try for theirs," said O'Brien.
"I don't see the six furlongs as a problem for Minardi. When he was sixth to King Charlemagne in France, he did not get the breaks. We've been happy with him since and he's working nicely. Mull of Kintyre has also come forward from his last run behind Fath at Goodwood. As for King Charlemagne, we'll just sit with him for the moment."
Filed by Tom Grealis
