Let the performance do the talking

There are horses that ply their trade quietly and earn respect through achievement. And there are horses that are owned by breeding empires. The connections of the latter type of horse love to talk up their charges rather than letting them earn their lofty reputations on the racecourse, so they can grow richer still when they retire to stud.

The emperor of 'talking' horses this flat season is Ballydoyle-owned, Aidan O'Brien-trained, One Cool Cat. He didn't win the 2,000 Guineas when starting as favourite, in fact one-scolded Cat was last (Haafhd, advised here, took the honours) and he didn't win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York when reinventing himself as a sprinter.

Today One Cool Cat lines up over the Pennines in Lancashire for the Stanleybet Haydock Sprint Cup. He could win, the animal has at least got form over six furlongs, but it seems churlish to make a Damascene conversion to his charms so the Investor won't. Don't believe the hype.

Laying the favourite could be the best betting strategy in what looks a very competitive race. There are plenty with chances but a little bit each way on Roger Charlton's Tante Rose may prove profitable. She has won in group-class as a three-year old when trained by Barry Hills and looks the form pick based on her last appearance.

In a strongly run race in the King George Stakes at Goodwood she held Boogie Street, who may yet prove to be the best three-year old sprinter in the UK. She also had seasoned rivals such as The Tatling and Avonbridge in her wake. Bahamian Pirate, who won the Nunthorpe, could only finish sixth at Goodwood. At double-digit odds Tante Rose is good each-way value, even if the Cat finally pounces.

Kempton Park in south-west London has a good card but unfortunately both of its group races have cut up badly. Trainers who have been bleating about the plans of the course to migrate to the dreaded All-Weather racing should stop making noises off and support what's in the racecourse programme. If you are heading that way, Bandari in the Pentax UK September Stakes looks a good thing.

Selections

2:35 Haydock: Tante Rose (each-way)

3:15 Kempton: Bandari (win)