Candy's sweet on Markab

With connections of market leaders Starspangledbanner and Paco Boy likely to resist the temptation to run in Saturday's Betfred Sprint Cup, Henry Candy is hopeful that Markab can take full advantage.

The seven-year-old produced a career-best effort when finishing second to Equiano in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, having opened the season with two victories over six furlongs.

Candy is renowned for his handling of sprinters such as Group One winners Kyllachy and Airwave and is in optimistic mood about Markab's chances in Saturday's £275,000 race at Haydock. He believes the gelding can return to top form following a below-par display when beaten favourite in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July.

Candy said: "Markab would appear to be getting better with age. A couple of runs earlier in the year were career highlights but I was disappointed with his run at Newbury.

"It wasn't the ground or the trip [six furlongs], it was the fact that he got a bit jarred up previously at Ascot and he didn't let himself down.

"I hope there is a nice bit of cut in the ground at Haydock. That would be ideal for him."