Reverence takes Sprint Cup

Reverence followed up his Group 1 Nunthorpe win last month with another top-level triumph, the Haydock Park Sprint Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The going was heavy, an advantage to Reverence, who prefers the turf in that condition.

Three-year-olds Red Clubs and Amadeus Wolf made the early running, with Reverence, the 11-4 favorite, stalking them just off the pace on the stands rail.

Jockey Kevin Darley sent Reverence to join Red Clubs two furlongs out, and the two eased to the front a furlong from home. Once in the lead Reverence wasn't seriously threatened, although fast-finishing veteran Quito did manage to get within a neck at the line. Amadeus Wolf was third. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:15.78.

Reverence, trained by Eric Alston, will next run in the Prix de l'Abbaye.