THE French trainer John Hammond is set to bid for a third success in the Haydock Park Sprint Cup on Saturday.

The Chantilly based trainer was successful with Polar Falcon in 1991 and again last year with Cherokee Rose.

And his four year old Miesque's Son was one of 13 horses declared at yesterday's five day acceptance stage for the £100,000 added six furlong contest.

Miesque's Son, by Mr Prospector, had problems early in his career and was lightly raced at two and three years.

But he broke his maiden in a Group Three race at Evry in July and finished second, beaten one and a half lengths by Anabaa, in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on his latest start.

Miesque's Son is set to renew rivalry with the three English horses who chased him home at Deauville.

Neville Callaghan's Danehill Dancer, only a head behind him in third at Deauville, Iktamal, five lengths fourth, and Blue Duster, three quarters of a length fifth, all reoppose on the same terms.

David Loder, trainer of Blue Duster, also has July Cup runner up Lucayan Prince in the race and a stable spokeswoman this afternoon confirmed that both are intended runners at this stage.

Seven horses defected yesterday and while it was widely expected that Pivotal would not run, the absence of Branston Abby was something of a surprise.

Mark Johnston's tough seven year old ran one of the best races of her career when finishing second to Cherokee Rose in the race 12 months ago. But she was found to be suffering from acute nasal discharge on Sunday night and has had to be put on antibiotics.

Johnston said: "She's quite a bit better today but clearly we couldn't run her at Haydock. It's a real shame as this was her main target for this year."

"Both Lucayan Prince and Miesque's Son have strong claims on their runnings in the season's top sprints behind Anabaa.

"David Loder's horses are in fine form and Lucayan Prince will be hoping for fast ground, while Danehill Dancer would welcome further rain. The race lacks an obvious star, but has a very open and competitive look," said spokesman Ian Wassell.

Ladbrokes have issued opening prices on the race and rate Lucayan Prince and Miesque's Son as 3 to 1 joint favourites.