Sky Majesty the Haydock hope for William Haggas in Saturday’s Sprint Cup

Sky Majesty will bid to give William Haggas back-to-back victories in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, with the trainer opting against running Almeraq in the Group One contest.

The three-year-old Almeraq was a five-length winner of the Ayr Gold Cup Trial last time and with that big handicap later this month already ruled out, Haggas and owners Shadwell were deliberating making a swift leap to Group One level.

However, a smaller step to Listed company is now the plan, with Almeraq to contest the Starman Garrowby Stakes at York the day after Sky Majesty lines up on Merseyside.

Haggas said: “We’re just going to run Sky Majesty at Haydock and Almeraq will head to York on Sunday.

“Any rain is going to suit Sky Majesty well and she’s heading there bang in form.

“Whether that form is good enough we will see, but she goes there fully entitled to take a shot.”

Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom alongside Ian McAleavy, Sky Majesty has really hit her stride of late with two impressive victories in Ireland which convinced connections to stump up the supplementary fee of £20,000.

The owners’ racing manager Sean Graham added: “Her best run last year was at Chantilly when she won on heavy ground.

“We’re very hopeful she will prove up to Group One level and if there’s going to be plenty of runners you can often need a little luck in running and sometimes the draw can play a part, but we’d be very happy she is heading there in good form and she’s entitled to take her chance.”

With the ground currently described as good, good to soft in places on Merseyside, it could prove the ideal opportunity for the filly to step back up to the highest level while in peak condition.

Sky Majesty also holds a Group One entry for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 18, with Saturday’s outing set to provide a guide for future targets.

“You don’t get too many chances to have a crack at a Group One when conditions are in your favour and also she holds an entry in the Group One at Ascot on British Champions Day,” continued Graham.

“So Saturday will tell us if she has a right to run in that or if we’re flying a bit high and it will give us an idea where we’re going to go for the rest of the season as well.”

Sky Majesty is currently a 10-1 chance with the sponsors for the Sprint Cup.