Etienne & Zigazig Ah Among 25 Declared Runners In The Weatherbys Super Sprint

] A full field of 25 runners have been declared for the Weatherbys Super Sprint, the centrepiece of Saturday’s seven-race card, which is open to horses costing less than £65,000 at the sales. Lining up among them to contest the 5f and £275,000 prize fund will be two homebreds in Zigazig Ah and Etienne for the owner-trainer combination, Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham of Rebel Racing.

Currently 13/2 in the market, Etienne finished a close second on debut at Newmarket last month. Spencer commented: “He’s come out of the race well and hopefully taken a big step forward from his debut.”

On the drop back in trip, Spencer added: “Dropping back to five I don’t think would be a problem. He’s got plenty of speed and with the run under his belt, I think he’ll be a lot sharper. I think it’s key that he’s had a run and had a day out and seen the racecourse once. He should run very well and he’s a homebred by Rajasinghe, out of Odyssey Girl who has won on debut at Newbury and ran in the Super Sprint.”

The two-year-old colt was bought back for 7,000 GNS at Tattersalls October Book 3 last year and when considering how he is likely to fare against the opposition, Spencer said: He’s going there with a good weight – I think you know the opposition it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be a lot of runners, but I think he’s probably one on the right side of the weights and ability wise.”

Stablemate, Zigazig Ah comes into the race with a bit more experience and off the back of a win at Yarmouth three weeks ago. Reflecting on her season so far, Spencer commented: “She was unlucky probably not to win on debut. The inexperience just caught her at Lingfield but she won very well at Yarmouth.”

Looking ahead to Newbury, he added: “She’s come out of the Yarmouth race well and hopefully with a low weight on Saturday of 8st4lb, she’ll have a very good chance.”

On how the two compare, Spencer observed: “They’re two totally different types, really. This filly, she’s quiet and very feminine and, got a good attitude. She’s going there with two runs. He’s only going there with one start, but hopefully he can step up on his debut.

Two live contenders off nice weights. Obviously, the draw was going to play a big part on the day but hopefully they won’t be far apart.”

The pair will have to contend with the five Richard Hannon runners, headed by Rollthedicebaby, who comes into the race off the back of winning at Goodwood in June, along with From Me To You, Call Me Tomorrow, Leucothea and Clueisinthetitle. The Wiltshire-based handler will be hoping to add to his tally of four wins in the race and take another step closer to his father Richard Hannon Snr’s record of seven.

Having won the race twice as a jockey, Richard Hughes will be looking to get his name on the board as a trainer with the favourite Bint Archange, who was last seen getting the better of this year’s Brocklesby winner in a Listed race at Sandown at the start of the month.

In a bid to take the race back down to the West Country for the second year in a row after Anthelia’s victory in 2025, Rod Millman is represented by Courage Best, as well as the reserve Devon Angel.

Other recent winners include Sky Secret for the Clive Cox team, who lived up to her price at Leicester when breaking her maiden tag on her second start and Angels Lane, who denied her odds of 33/1 when winning first time out for trainer Henry Candy. Meanwhile, Archie Watson sends forward Vollering, who won on debut at Redcar and has since taken a step up in class, most recently seen finishing third in a Listed race at Deauville.

Wait Geordie, Ballisty, Bill The Bull, Final Appeal, Nascent Star, Seathegulls, Minster Boy, Niewiadoma, Kodi Bear Light, Holi Scarlett, Past Passion, Seed Ya Later, and Holliesthedollie complete the field.

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