Sole Power Among 17 for Haydock's Sprint Cup
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Elite sprinter Sole Power takes on defending winner Gordon Lord Byron in a 17-horse field set for the Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-I) Sept. 6 at Haydock.
Trainer Eddie Lynam's Sole Power looks tough to beat as he comes in with three straight wins, including the Coolmore Nunthorpe (Eng-I) Aug. 22 at York and the King's Stand Stakes (Eng-) June 17 at Royal Ascot. But the 7-year-old gelding tries the Sprint Cup's six furlongs for the first time this year and he yet to break through in several starts at that distance.
Gordon Lord Byron took last year's edition of the race by an impressive three lengths from Sole Power's stablemate Slade Power, and was later sent to Australia, where he won the George Ryder Stakes (Aus-I) at about 7 1/2 furlongs in late March. Back in Great Britain this spring, he was runner-up to Slade Power in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Eng-I) in June at Royal Ascot and then posted another runner-up finish, beaten a nose, in the Renaissance Stakes (Ire-III) Aug. 23 at the Curragh in his most recent start.
Trainer Tom Hogan said Gordon Lord Byron is in great form heading into Saturday's race.
"He needed the run (at the Curragh) and it has really brought him on," he told England's Press Association.
"He has done very well since and would be somewhere around the same condition as he was before he won this race last year. His work rider even thinks that he has got better."
Also entered is Hot Streak, winner of the Betfred Temple Stakes (Eng-II) in May at Haydock before a third-place finish to Sole Power in the King's Stand Stakes.
Trainer Richard Hannon sends out Professor, a three-time winner at Haydock, including at the Sprint Cup distance.
Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-I, race 4, approximate post time 10:50 a.m. EDT) Sept. 6, 3YO&Up, 6f., Haydock
No. PP. Horse (Where Bred) (Sire) Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. 4. Baccarat (IRE) (Dutch Art), G. Baker, 129, R. Fahey
2. 2. Caspar Netscher (GB) (Dutch Art), G. Gibbons, 129, D. Simcock
3. 1. Dinkum Diamond (IRE) (Aussie Rules), B. Curtis, 129, H. Candy
4. 8. Es Que Love (IRE) (Clodovil), A. Kirby, 129, C. Cox
5. 18. Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) (Byron), W. Lordan, 129, T. Hogan
6. 3. Maarek (GB) (Pivotal), D. McDonogh, 129, E. McCutcheon
7. 11. Moviesta (KY) (Hard Spun), P. Mulrennan, 129, B. Smart
8. 13. Music Master (GB) (Piccolo), D. O'Neill, 129, H. Candy
9. 16. Pearl Secret (GB) (Compton Place), O. Murphy, 129, T. Barron
10. 15. Professor (GB) (Byron), C. Hayes, 129, R. Hannon
11. 9. Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy), R. Hughes, 129, E. Lynam
12. 12. Tropics (KY) (Speightstown), R. Winston, 129, D. Ivory
13. 14. Astaire (IRE) (Intense Focus), A. Ryan, 127, K. Ryan
14. 6. Cougar Mountain (IRE) (Fastnet Rock), J. O'Brien, 127, A. O'Brien
15. 7. Extortionist (IRE) (Dandy Man), P. Smullen, 127, O. Stevens
16. 10. G Force (IRE) (Tamayuz), D. Tudhope, 127, D. O'Meara
17. 17. Hot Streak (IRE) (Iffraaj), J. Spencer, 127, K. Ryan