Ortensia is Stan James’s 2/1 market leader in the Sprint Cup at Haydock after 15 were declared for Saturday’s race.
Stan James’s Rory Jiwani said, “William Buick has been booked for the ride on Ortensia with a helicopter waiting to transport him to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes. The Australian mare came with a devastating late charge to win at York and she’s been backed all week into 2/1 to follow up at Haydock. However, the money horse is Roger Charlton’s Bated Breath who is now 10/3 to win his first Group 1 prize having been 6/1 at the start of the week.
“Strong Suit has also been popular and is now 6/1 third favourite with Society Rock a 10/1 shot. Listed City of York Stakes winner Gordon Lord Byron has been supported at bigger prices and is now 20/1 from 33/1 to give Ireland its first win in the race for 40 years.
“Buick’s second half of a potential Group 1 double is Nathaniel who faces just five rivals in the Irish Champion Stakes. John Gosden’s four-year-old was touched off by Danedream in the King George at Ascot last time out but he is 6/5 to win at Leopardstown. His biggest rival is another mare in Ed Dunlop’s Snow Fairy who is 2/1 having been the subject of good support during the week. King George and Juddmonte International third St Nicholas Abbey leads the Ballydoyle challenge at 4/1 and it’s 16/1 bar those.”
Sprint Cup betting (EW 1/4 1,2,3): 2 Ortensia 10/3 Bated Breath 6 Strong Suit 10 Society Rock 12 Wizz Kid 14 Hitchens 16 Dandy Boy, Hawkeyethenoo, Soul 20 Gordon Lord Byron 50 bar
Irish Champion Stakes betting (EW 1/4 1,2): 6/5 Nathaniel 2 Snow Fairy 4 St Nicholas Abbey 16 Born To Sea 25 Daddy Long Legs, Light Heavy
