It would appear Harry Redknapp had a very enjoyable weekend. Not only did the QPR boss lead his team to their first win of the Premier League season, but jockey Paul Mulrennan offered the part-time horse owner plenty of encouragement that his sprinter Moviesta could keep up with the favourites this Saturday at Haydock.
Moviesta (lead): could surprise in the Sprint Cup at Haydock PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
The timing couldn’t be better for Redknapp. With domestic top-flight football taking a break this weekend due to international matches, the QPR manager could have a free day up his sleeve to travel to Haydock and watch Moviesta run in person.
Moviesta is an outside shot for this weekend’s Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup, currently 25-1 at 
Paddy Power, but his two outings in August show the four year old has gotten his act together. He may have been defeated, but connections couldn’t be happier with his performance in the King George Stakes at Goodwood, where he finished ½ a length behind Take Cover, and even more so in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where he was beaten just one length by Sole Power.
According to Mulrennan, “Moviesta is flying.” It would seem the bookmakers agree, having cut the colt from 40-1 since the weekend.
The jockey was also pleased to learn dry weather and warm temperatures were forecast for Haydock this week. With the ground being described as good to soft, soft in places yesterday, the rider added: “I haven’t sat on him since the Nunthorpe but I’ve seen him and he looks great. He’s come out of York really well.
“He won over six furlongs last year – I know it was in lesser company – but I was also second on him in a big handicap at Newmarket. His last two runs have shown he’s coming to himself and he deserves to win a big race. It’s wide open if the two Power horses don’t turn up.”
The “Power” horses he describes are, of course, Slade Power and Sole Power. Slade has American ring worm and is an unlikely runner, especially as he aims to travel to Australia in November for his swan song while Sole is an intended runner for Irish Champions Weekend the following weekend. His best form is at the minimum trip; however, he could run at Haydock if the ground is quick enough. He’s currently a 6-1 shot at Paddy Power, led only by Due Diligence (4-1) and Gordon Lord Byron (5-1).
All four of these horses are Irish-trained, showing that the country is dominating the betting field. With the top three best-priced bets all from Ireland, it is likely one will place. Other notable runners include Extortionist (14-1), Aljamaaheer (16-1), and Astaire (25-1).
The Haydock Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs.
Make sure you place your bets at Paddy Power – the best online bookmaker.
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