The Tin Man crops Brando at Haydock

Jockey, Oisin Murphy, has really come up trumps since July, winning a massive 62, including Roaring Lion and Lightning Spear.

He continued his trend by scorching home with the Sprint Cup, Haydock's Premier showcase, on The Tin Man.

James Fanshawe's star, cracked Brando by a small margin, but, Harry Angel did not feature due to his starting stalls woes.

The Tin Man has returned from a close-shave with death, after contracting pneumonia on a flight to Hong Kong in December.

The field went off a bit quickly, but began wilting when Tin Man reached top gear. All paths now hinge on Ascot when he takes on the very best Champions.

IRISH CHAMPION

The Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, saw Decorated Knight (Andrea Atzeni, 25-1), toppling Poet's Word (James Doyle, 10-1), by half-a-length.

Poet's Word, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, ran a brave race, to sanction himself from Eminent (Frankie Dettori, 3-1), but Churchill (Ryan Moore, 8-11), did not function well at all in seventh position.

Enable, who bagged autumn's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was expected to launch a claim in the September Stakes at Kempton, which she did with absolute ease.

Frankie Dettori made all on the amazing filly, who has been away for a good while.

CRYSTAL OCEAN

Crystal Ocean (David Probert,6-1), was next best, but no danger. Cribbs Causeway had absolutely nothing left, hitting 100-1 with bookies.

Aidan O'Brien believes Doncaster will play to the strengths of William Hill St Leger favorite, Kew Gardens, with Ballydoyle's maestro readying a team of four for the Classic at Town Moor on Saturday.

Kew Gardens finished third behind Old Persian in the Great Voltigeur Stakes last month at York, to bolster preparations. He is now 5-4 with sponsors, although Nelson, Southern France, and, The Pentagon, are also under scrutiny.

GREATEST JOCKEY

Stablemate, Capri, won a year ago. Lah Ti Dar, Loxley, Old Persin, and, Latrobe, are also some horses to think about. Eighteen have thus far been declared for this T 1.6 mile test, which still harbours Njinsky, as its most gilded winner, back in 1970.

Njinsky captured public imagination due to his balletic name, and had an air of invincibility the first time he stepped onto a course.

His Triple Crown of 2,000 Guineas, Derby, and, St Leger, have never been repeated. Greatest jockey ever, Sir Lester Piggott, always rode Njinsky.

Those were the days when this pair, brought millions to their feet, and, to tears.