Flying Sole Shows Plenty Of Power

Those who took the opinion that the 100/1 success of Ireland’s Sole Power in last year’s Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York was no more than a fluke will have to eat more than a slice or two of humble pie after Edward Lynam’s stable star proved he really does have what it takes to bid for top honours once again in the sprint division after an authoritative success in the Group 2 Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday, writes Elliot Slater.

Most eyes were fixed on Overdose, the ‘Budapest Bullet’, who was making his British debut having won 15 of his 16 racecourse appearances, but after showing plenty of speed in an early dual for the lead with Hamish McGonagle, the Hungarian star faded to finish in the mid-division as Keagan Latham brought Sole Power with a perfectly timed run up the stands rail to lead inside the furlong and then cosily see off the attentions of the smart Kingsgate Native, with Robert Cowell’s Prohibit snatching third just ahead of the grand old stager Borderlescott. Even those following the Epsom Derby odds would have been impressed by the race.

Lynam was clearly delighted that his four-year-old had proved the doubters wrong and indicated that he will bid next for the Group1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in three weeks time, a race for which his odds have been slashed to 10/1jf from 25/1 following his Haydock victory. Overdose, who had been a clear 7/1 f with some firms prior to Saturday’s race, has now been pushed out to 20/1 in the Royal Ascot odds.

A repeat assault on the Nunthorpe Stakes at York’s big Ebor fixture in August remains the principal target however for Sole Power, who proved last year that he is well suited by the track and should this time be amongst the market principals and not a three-figure price as he was in 2010.