James Fanshawe’s classy sprinter defied the odds to run again after a bout of pneumonia left him fighting for his life.
But The Tin Man returned to rude health to win Haydock Park’s richest Flat Turf contest of the season twelve months ago.
“It was a day none of us will forget, so many famous horses have won this race, so I’m incredibly proud to see his name on the Sprint Cup board of honour,” said trainer Fanshawe.
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“We thought we had no chance on heavy ground, so we’ll take whatever ground we’re given tomorrow.”
The Tin Man pushed his career earnings beyond £1million when winning at Haydock Park and the previous year he secured his owners a meeting with Her Majesty the Queen, who presented the prize after he won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Tin Man has won a Group One race in each of the last three years but Fanshawe will be anxious to see him return to his best form as he attempts to become only the second-dual winner of the Sprint Cup.
No horse has won the Sprint Cup twice since Be Friendly, owned by legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan, who triumphed in 1966 and 1967.
“He’s had a nice preparation coming into the race,” said Fanshawe.
“He’s nice and bright, he looks very well and is moving enthusiastically.
“He operates when he’s in good form, as opposed to the time of year.
“It’s all about how he’s feeling.”
It promises to be a race to savour in the fourth instalment of the Ten Sovereigns versus Advertise contest which began in the opening Flat Turf classic, The 2,000 Guineas.
Martyn Meade’s three-year-old saw off the best sprinters of his own generation when landing the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
He followed up in fine style, winning over six and a half furlongs to claim the Maurice de Gheest crown at Deauville.
And Advertise will again be ridden by superstar jockey Frankie Dettori tomorrow.
The Haydock Park Sprint Cup is one of the few Group One prizes to have eluded Aidan O’Brien.
Ten Sovereigns was an impressive winner of the July Cup, but could only manage sixth in his last outing, The Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
