RACING: PUNTERS' GUIDE

Simon Holt of Channel 4 Racing analyses today's Sprint Cup at Haydock

Arkadian Hero: Easy winner recently of two Listed races and capable of a bold show in this class (earlier fourth in Group One July Cup). Ideally suited by 6f.

Bold Edge: High-class sprinter who disappoints occasionally. Beat Russian Revival at Royal Ascot and then an excellent second to Stravinsky in the July Cup.

Diktat: Has looked a class act in three victories this season, most recently at Deauville. Drops back in distance here but has bags of speed and represents the all-conquering Godolphin team.

Eastern Purple: Tough sort who won a Group Three in Ireland earlier in the year and was fifth to Bold Edge at Royal Ascot.

Gaelic Storm: The winner of 11 races without looking Group One class. Soft ground would assist.

Halmahera: Consistent handicapper who was not disgraced when a close fourth in a Group Three at Deauville last time.

Rambling Bear: Unscathed from a crashing fall at York last month but needs to improve on earlier efforts to feature.

Tomba: A three-time course winner with excellent credentials on soft going. However, only fifth on that ground to Diktat recently.

Yorkies Boy: Ran best race this year when third to Sampower Star on soft going at York in May but has raced only once since.

Bertolini: Fine third to Stravinsky in the July Cup and third again subsequently to Diktat in France. Acts on any going.

Rosselli: Attempts to give the retiring Jack Berry a first Group One win. Smart juvenile who was well behind Stravinsky on belated reappearance at York.

Sampower Star: Much improved and narrowly failed to notch fourth win of the season when second to Vision Of Night in a Group Three at Deauville.

Grazia: Lightly raced filly who finished third to Arkadian Hero at Newbury before chasing home Gorse at Leopardstown.

Imperial Beauty: Never troubled Rudi's Pet over the minimum trip last time after convincing defeat of Pipalong over six furlongs at York and may be best at this trip.

Pipalong: Made Wannabe Grand fight hard at Pontefract since landing the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon but now takes another step up the ladder.

Wannabe Grand: Second in the 1,000 Guineas but struggled to beat Pipalong at Pontefract last time. Has not progressed.

Conclusion: ARKADIAN HERO can exploit any weaknesses in Diktat over this trip, though he will have to show improvement to overturn July Cup form with Bold Edge and Bertolini.