Double Rush set for a final run at Haydock following Royal Ascot success
Andrew Balding’s Blue Point colt Double Rush looks poised to round off a productive season with a run in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. The lightly raced sprinter, who completed a three-timer with victory in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, was stepped up to Group One company for the July Cup and failed to reproduce his earlier form, prompting connections to give him a short break.
After a pause in his campaign, the colt has returned to work and is being campaigned with one more start in mind before the close of the season. The Sprint Cup at Haydock is likely to be the target should he come through his preparation well.
Formline and campaign management
Double Rush made his mark in the spring with a pair of valuable handicap wins on the Newmarket sprinting circuit before carrying that momentum to Ascot where he scored in the big Wokingham handicap. Connections elected to test him at the highest level in the July Cup; the step up to Group One company produced a below-par showing, leading to a short period of recuperation.
The decision to give the colt time off reflects the heavier schedule he endured over the summer and a desire to present him fresh for a final assignment. If the intended Haydock engagement materialises it will offer another chance to see whether he can translate his handicap exploits into Group-level form on Merseyside.
Other horses in the Ace Stud string
Racing manager Paul Curran also outlined plans for two other members of the Ace Stud ownership group. Karl Burke’s Evolutionist, a filly who has campaigned predominantly in Group One races this season, is another possible autumn contender. Her season includes a second in the 1000 Guineas and solid performances in the Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild, although a trip to the French Oaks produced a lesser effort.
Connections note that Evolutionist has often met ground that may not have been ideal for her, and they envisage one further run before deciding whether to aim for autumn targets such as the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown or the Sun Chariot at Newmarket. The filly’s autumn campaign will be shaped by the state of the ground and where she is best placed to pick up a top-level prize.
Curran also highlighted juvenile prospects, naming Imperial Strike as an emerging colt of interest. Trained in France by Andre Fabre, Imperial Strike has won both of his starts to date at Deauville and is regarded as a progressive type with scope to develop at three. He is entered in a Listed contest at Deauville this weekend but is unlikely to run if the forecasted rain turns the surface soft; longer-term options include the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere among other juvenile features.
Looking ahead to Haydock
Haydock’s Sprint Cup has become a key autumn feature for sprinters and would provide a suitable stage for Double Rush to seek Group-level redemption. The race often attracts a competitive field and gives late-season sprinters a chance to add black type to their records ahead of a winter break or stud plans.
Should Double Rush take his chance at Haydock it will mark a final run for a colt who has enjoyed a profitable and eye-catching campaign so far. For now, the plan remains conditional on his response to a short spell away from the track and the progress of his current work.
