Haydock Park

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Dream Ahead Sneaks Betfred Sprint Cup Thriller
03/09/11

1 Dream Ahead 4/1F
2 Bated Breath 5/1
3 Hoof It 5/1
16 ran Distances: nse, hd, 1¼l
TIME 1m 10.36s (fast by 0.64s)

Dream Ahead came out on top in a thrilling three-way finish with Bated Breath and Hoof It in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park on Saturday.

Dream Ahead
© Racehorse Photos

The 4-1 favourite was on a recovery mission following a lifeless display in France on his latest appearance, but looked much more like the horse who was so impressive in the July Cup.

David Simcock's star turn, ridden by William Buick, hit the front inside the final quarter-mile and although he hung both left and right in the closing stages, the three-year-old managed to fend off Bated Breath by a nose, with a further head to Hoof It, who put in a late challenge.

The placings remained unaltered following a long stewards' inquiry into possible interference involving the first and third.

Buick said: "He's got a big head, and that helps in a finish like that. It's a very good training performance to get him back from his disappointment last time."

Simcock added: "It's a massive relief as after France we were scratching our heads. We thought we had him great in France and we thought we had him great today. We rode him far more positively and he battled well and did everything well.

"It's great for the horse to enhance his reputation and I probably won't see another horse like him. It's very special and this means as much as the July Cup, as we're bouncing back.

"There's only two options open to him now. We could either go to France for the Prix de la Foret, or run at Ascot (Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes). People might ask why I'd want to go back to seven furlongs (in France) but, on the other hand, why drop back to a Group Two at Ascot?

"I hope he stays in training next year and if that's the case, I don't think he would go for the Breeders' Cup this season. There will be discussions between his owners and myself."

Hoof It's jockey Graham Gibbons was in no doubt he was an unlucky loser. He said: "I was carried across the course and it definitely cost me the race. There was only a nose and a head in it."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Dream Ahead D M Simcock	William Buick 9st 1lbs	4 - 1 Winner
2	Bated Breath R Charlton	S Drowne 9st 3lbs	5 - 1 Nose
3	Hoof It M W Easterby	G Gibbons 9st 3lbs	5 - 1 Head
4	Genki R Charlton	G Baker 9st 3lbs	20 - 1 1 1/4 length
5	Elzaam R Varian	R Hills 9st 1lbs	16 - 1 2 lengths
6	Society Rock J R Fanshawe	P Cosgrave 9st 3lbs	9 - 1 1 1/4 length
7	Dalghar A M Balding	David Probert 9st 3lbs	25 - 1 3/4 length
8	Bewitched C O'Brien	R Hughes 9st 0lbs	14 - 1 Short Head
9	Hitchens T D Barron	F M Berry 9st 3lbs	25 - 1 1 length
10	Kingsgate Native Sir Michael Stoute	N Callan 9st 3lbs	20 - 1 1 1/2 length
11	Doncaster Rover D H Brown	S De Sousa 9st 3lbs	33 - 1 Head
12	Sole Power E Lynam	K Latham 9st 3lbs	20 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
13	Wootton Bassett R A Fahey	P Hanagan 9st 1lbs	16 - 1 3/4 length
14	Delegator S bin Suroor	L Dettori 9st 3lbs	9 - 1 1 1/2 length
15	Masamah K A Ryan	J P Spencer 9st 3lbs	25 - 1 6 lengths
16	Tiddliwinks K A Ryan	P Makin 9st 3lbs	66 - 1 9 lengths

HOOF IT CAMP CONSIDER APPEAL

Connections of Hoof It are considering launching an appeal after he finished an unlucky third in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.

The Mick Easterby-trained sprinter, jointly owned by golfer Lee Westwood and his agent Chubby Chandler, was a nose and a head behind the winner, Dream Ahead, and runner-up Bated Breath.

Easterby's four-year-old was, however, forced left inside the final furlong by Dream Ahead, after which a protracted stewards' inquiry was called.

The placings remained unaltered, but Easterby may still contest the decision.

He said: "I thought he was very unlucky, and we are considering appealing.

"There was definitely interference, and the stewards said they couldn't be certain the interference affected the result.

"But when you are talking in terms of a head and a nose, it is very, very harsh.

"The stewards have been a bit timid, for me, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to be a steward."

Of the possibility of Hoof It running in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, in which he would carry top weight of 10st 5lb, on Saturday week, Easterby added: "I haven't made my mind up yet."