Lynam issues Power warning
The four-year-old was a 100-1 winner of the Nunthorpe at York 12 months ago but has proved that to be no fluke this season, winning Haydock’s Temple Stakes before running a creditable eighth in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot.
Sole Power was notably beaten into fifth in this Tipperary Listed prize last season and Lynam is just looking to get a run into his charge before he defends his Nunthorpe crown on August 19.
“He’s in good form and while he’ll be there doing his best, this race is really a stepping-stone for York,” said Lynam.
“He’s got to carry a big penalty tomorrow and he wasn’t even in the first three in the race last year.
“We’re just hoping he has a nice run. He’s had a break and I’m sure he’ll come on for it and hopefully improve ahead of the Nunthorpe as he did last year.”
The David Nicholls-trained Inxile, David Barron’s Group Therapy and Move In Time for Bryan Smart’s yard all make the journey to Ireland from Britain.
The latter has yet to finish outside the first three in 2011 and his Thirsk-based handler is hoping for a bold show.
“I couldn’t be more happy with him and he’s in good order,” said Smart.
“The ground should be nice enough and we’ll see how we go.”
Mewnahile William McCreery is keeping his fingers crossed Sophies Echo will continue her progression when she steps up to Listed class for the Coolmore Hurricane Run Stakes.
The juvenile showed little when making her racecourse debut at Down Royal under two months ago but she has come on in leaps and bounds since, filling the runner-up spot at Leopardstown before getting her head in front at the Curragh.
McCreery accepts his filly faces a far stiffer test on Friday, with Aidan O’Brien saddling three of the eight declared runners, but he hopes she will be up to the task.
“She’s done nothing wrong so far, the ground should suit her and we have a nice draw (stall two),” said the Curragh-based handler.
“She’s going up in class and it is a step up for her, but we’ll see what happens. If you’re not in, you can’t win
“Aidan’s horses have been flying and they are always the ones you have to target and try to beat.
“We’re stepping back up to seven furlongs from six but I don’t think that will be a problem.
“It was a stiff six at the Curragh the last day and she was doing all her best work at the end.
“I think she’s going the right way and if we could pick up some black type that would be great for the owner.”
