William Hill Sprint Cup: Bet on Proclamation 7-4!

To some, taking 15-8 about a horse in a race that?s invariably as competitive as the William Hill Sprint Cup at Haydock may seem criminal. However, shortly after 3.15pm on Saturday afternoon, those that took that price about Proclamation will be in clover, that I promise you.Indeed, the odds are skinny, but they accurately reflect his superiority. In fact I reckon I could make a case for him being good value at 7-4 on!Proclamation has tasted defeat just once in his five-race career, and proved beyond doubt that he a genuine Group One performer when coming from last to first to land the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where he beat Soviet Song by half-a-length, with the rest well and truly beaten.For one so inexperienced, to take on and beat a top-class filly like Soviet Song, the winner no less of five Group One races herself, that was a truly outstanding performance. But the instant acceleration the son of King?s Best showed there, gave the indication that he?s a genuine superstar in the making and, a such, he?ll be nigh on impossible to beat on Saturday.Admittedly, he?s never tackled the Sprint Cup trip of six furlongs. But, however, the pace will be furious and this will bring Proclamation?s stamina into play. Anyway, the disdain with which he beat a huge field from a hopeless draw in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot at York on his penultimate start strongly suggested that he could take the drop to six furlongs in his stride ? he had the race well and truly sewn up over a furlong out. Truth be known, this horse is so good, he would probably blitz everything over five furlongs too. Make no mistake, he?s the real deal and will win this easily.It?s no coincidence that his trainer Jeremy Noseda, who has secured the services of Frankie Dettori on Saturday, has withdrawn both Balmont and Soldier?s Tale, both of whom are proven performers at this level. It is patently clear that Proclamation has burnt them both off on the gallops and Noseda would rather they had a chance of winning elsewhere ? plain and simple!Having done me a good turn when getting up close to land the Stewards? Cup at Glorious Goodwood, turning my back on Gift Horse was never going to be easy, especially as Kieren Fallon will be available to ride Dandy Nicholls? charge.The five-year-old doesn?t have many miles on the clock and although he?s been running handicaps this season, he?s more than earned a crack at the big time. I have no doubt that he will be a regular fixture in all top sprints next year ? and probably win many of them himself ? but attempting to give weight to Proclamation will be way too big an ask, and he?ll have to settle for a minor role this time.The same applies to Somnus, who won this race in 2003 and finished second in last year?s renewal. He has not fired at all this season and is unlikely to get the testing conditions he craves on Saturday given the recent warm spell.La Cucaracha has done nothing but improve and shaped as though six furlongs would suit when coming with a flourish to get up close home in the Nunthorpe Stakes last time. She?ll be right there in the mix for a podium spot.There are four other three-year-olds in the line up that merit respect, Galeota, Goodricke, Etlaala and Resplendent Glory. The last named has highly progressive this season and while he will need to step up a lot on what he shown thus far, it?d be no surprise to see him hit the frame.When it comes down to it though, it?ll be Proclamation first, the rest nowhere.Betting Verdict: 2pts win Proclamation @ 7-4 (Blue Square)