Walker targets Super Sprint success with Union Court

Upper Lambourn’s Ed Walker will be hoping Union Court can scoop him the £98,000 winner’s prize in this Saturday’s Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury Racecourse.

The Super Sprint is the centrepiece of an exciting Saturday of racing at Newbury Racecourse that also includes the Group Two Highclere Castle Gin Cup.

The two-year-old has won twice in the last two months at Leicester and Chepstow.

"We're really excited about the Super Sprint with Union Court," Walker said.

"She's at a relatively low weight, she's quick, and I think she can run a really big race.

"It's a nice opportunity to have a shot at a big prize pot with a filly that didn't cost a huge amount."

Elsewhere, Andrew Balding’s Alcohol Free won the prestigious July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, July 9.

The four-year-old finished one-and-a-half-lengths ahead of Charlie Appleby’s Naval Crown to secure her fourth Group One win.

Kingsclere-based Balding heralded the filly’s “huge achievement” in winning for the second time at the Suffolk racecourse.

“These are big races she’s winning, they’re high on the list of races that anyone would want to win.” Balding said.

“She’s a fantastic horse, her record is a huge testament to her ability.”

As well as the July Cup, that record includes the Sussex Stakes, Coronation Stakes and the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Rob Hornby, who started his career with Balding when he was 16, was aboard Alcohol Free at the weekend.

It was Hornby’s second Group One win on home soil – his first came the day before, Friday, July 8, in the Falmouth Stakes.

Balding said: “It was brilliant for Rob, we’re delighted.

“He started out with us 11 years ago, he works really hard.

“He’s very capable, a wonderful horseman, and he’s becoming a wonderful jockey as well.

“We’re thrilled for him, it’s nice that he could win a race of that nature on a horse of ours.”

Balding, however, has chosen not to run any of his three entries – Holguin, Celtic Champion and Fair Wind – in this Saturday’s Super Sprint.

That means Balding’s attention will be fixed on Chil Chil in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes – he described the six-year-old as his most “exciting and significant” runner of the fixture.

She'll have to beat Walker's Great Ambassador, who won at York, Newmarket and Kempton last year

Walker said: "He's in really good form and looks well.

"It would be a lovely race for him to win and I think he'll have a really good chance."

Both revellers and runners will have to contend with temperatures that might reach 30 degrees – Walker will be hoping Saturday's Super Sprint is Union Court's moment in the sun.