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Trainer Mick Appleby reports stable star Big Mojo to be ‘as good as he has ever been’ ahead of defending his Betfair Sprint Cup crown at Haydock Park next month (Saturday 5th September).
The four-year-old son of Mohaather will bid to become only the second horse in the Group One contest’s history to win it twice following on from Be Friendly, who was owned by the legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan and landed the first two runnings in 1966 and 1967.
Up until last time out, things had failed to fall right this season for Big Mojo following defeats in the Group Two Minster Stakes at York and at Group One level in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup at Newmarket.
However, the RP Racing Ltd-owned colt made the most of a drop down to Group Three company ahead of his return to the scene of his finest moment when running out a ready winner of the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland last time out on August 9th.
And with his confidence levels high, Appleby believes that Big Mojo, who is one of 29 horses still in contention for the £400,000 test at the Merseyside venue, can make his return to the top table a triumphant one.
Sponsor Betfair make Big Mojo a 14-1 chance to retain his crown in 12 days’ time.
Appleby said: “The plan is to go back to Haydock Park for the Sprint Cup with Big Mojo. We took him over to Ireland last time, and he won the Group Three. Hopefully he has now bounced back to form.
“It was pretty important he got his head in front last time as we needed to get a win on the board. It was good to see him get his head in front, and I think he did it well in the end.
“He was very strong at the line and Tom (Marquand, jockey) said he had quite a bit left as well. It was a good run and very encouraging.
“He was way overpriced last year at 16-1, but quite a lot of times he is. He is in good order, and he is as good as he has ever been, so we are very happy.”
Although Appleby was pleased to see Big Mojo return to winning ways last time out, he believes that there were valid excuses for his three defeats this season prior to that success.
The Rutland-based handler added: “He struggled a bit early on with having to carry that Group One penalty, but then at Royal Ascot the five furlongs was just too sharp for him.
“There seemed to be such a draw bias in the July Cup that if you were drawn towards the stands’ side you had no chance whatsoever. William (Buick, jockey) was trying to get across to the others, but Marco (Ghiani, jockey) was holding him so he couldn’t get across.
“I think if he could have got across to the others I think he would have been a lot closer. I think we can put a line through it as he has bounced back since.”
Having watched Big Mojo return to winning ways last time out, Appleby feels that a repeat performance of his win in the race last year would suffice.
He said: “He is in the same sort of form now as he was this time last year. If he can reproduce last year’s result, then he shouldn’t be far away.
“He is definitely a decent horse, and he is as good as a lot of the other sprinters that are about at the moment. Looking at it as it stands, I think the race will be of a similar quality to last year.
“If he runs up to his best that would be good enough to win. With these sprinters you need a bit of luck as well. You need to get a decent draw and then some luck in running. He will be going there in top form and that is all we can do.”
And with no other entries next to his name, it could be the last time Big Mojo is seen racing in Britain ahead of a repeat trip to the Breeders’ Cup in the USA, a meeting he finished fourth at in 2024 in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Appleby concluded: “If he wins here Paul (Teasdale, owner) is quite keen to go for another Breeders’ Cup with him. I think that would be it for him after that as I think he will be off to stud at the end of this season, but you never know Paul might change his mind again.
“What will be, will be. We will let the horse do the talking and hopefully he can get the job done here first of all.”
To book tickets for Betfair Sprint Cup Day at Haydock Park and for further information, please go to https://ww.thejockeyclub.co.uk/haydock/events-tickets/sprint-cup/
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