Not since Be Friendly in 1966-67 has any horse gained a repeat win in the Haydock Park Sprint Cup, but Ryedale hope Somnus is strongly fancied to bridge the gap in tomorrow's £225,000 race, sponsored by Stanleybet.

Successful under Ted Durcan last year, Great Habton trainer Tim Easterby's ace sprinter will have the first-time services of Mick Kinane as he bids to gain back-to-back triumphs in this Group 1 event, which has attracted a bumper field of 19 runners.

The good, good-to-soft in places ground at Haydock is ideal for Somnus, who won the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last month in the hands of American jockey Gary Stevens.

Since then Stevens, star of the block-busting film Seabiscuit, has ended his association with French trainer Andre Fabre and has returned to the US, mainly to take up opportunities outside racing.

Kinane is a great substitute and this world-renowned jockey should get the required tune out of Somnus in the face of stiff opposition.

Many punters will be expecting One Cool Cat to make amends for his defeat in last month's Nunthorpe at York. A strong-finishing third to Bahamian Pirate over five furlongs, he should be better suited by tomorrow's step up to six furlongs.

Bahamian Pirate, trained by David Nicholls, is in the field once more, while North Yorkshire hopes are further strengthened by Bryan Smart's Monsieur Bond and the Tom Tate-trained Welsh Emperor.

History might be against Somnus gaining a repeat victory in a race which has been his objective all season, by hopes are high that he can rewrite the record books.

Easterby also has good prospects of winning the Stanleybet.com Old Borough Cup Handicap with Jeepstar.

After two excellent efforts to finish second over ten furlongs, Jeepstar came good over a mile and a half at Pontefract last time. He steps up a further two furlongs tomorrow and, under bottom weight, can take plenty of catching.

At Thirsk, the totesport Hambleton Cup offers Prenup the chance to get back on the winning trail.

Luca Camani's filly was a dual winner during the summer, when she looked a progressive performer. Although a beaten favourite on her latest start, at Salisbury, she pulled too hard for her own good that day and paid the price. She is napped to get back on top.

Perle d'Or, well placed by William Haggas to complete a hat-trick of wins this season, can make it four off the reel in the BDO Stoy Hayward Fillies' Handicap.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has chosen Kempton as the target for Bandari, who is enjoying a fine season.

The five-year-old is fancied to have the edge over rising star Alkaased in the £50,000 Pentax UK September Stakes, one of two Group 3 races at the Sunbury course.

In the other, the Pentax Sirenia Stakes, the hat-trick seeking Satchem should be hard to beat.

Saturday's tips:

Haydock

1.35 Whistler, 2.05 Jeepstar, 2.35 Somnus, 3.05 Grosvenor Square, 3.40 Shot To Fame, 4.15 Looks Could Kill, 4.45 Keeper's Lodge.

Thirsk

1.50 Chantaco, 2.25 Sunday Symphony, 3.00 Prenup (Nap), 3.30 Perle d'Or, 4.05 Splodger Mac, 4.35 Kentucky Express, 5.05 McEldowney.

Kempton

TV races: 2.10 Pedrillo, 2.40 Satchem, 3.15 Bandari, 3.50 Arry Dash.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Folkestone and Stratford.

Updated: 13:49 Friday, September 03, 2004