In a weekend where emerging three year old sprinters have trounced older opposition, we may be about to see another episode in the pick of Sunday’s card at York.
Sole Power’s trainer, Ed Lynam, travels over to Great Britain with Fort Del Oro making her fourth start for the sprinting master. This bay filly arguably has the pick of the form on offer after just three outings, having finished 2l behind Betfred Sprint Cup fancy Mattmu in a Group 3 at the Curragh in early August on gd-yld. Toscanini – second next time out behind Moviesta in a Group 3 – was also deservedly ahead of her that day, but she did have Anthem Alexander and Maarek (listed winner since) well beaten in-behind. She receives weight from all but one rival and, despite being 2/1, I think she remains decent value in a race full of fairly exposed players. Moreover if you consider the progression of Mattmu – third to Mecca’s Angel and Acapulco respectively next time out in a Group 1 – and with the likelihood that Lynam will have brought her on from the Curragh, she must represent a big danger. Admittedly, in stark contrast to 2014’s 47% strike rate from 15 runners, the Irish trainer is yet to win in the UK this season from 10 runs. However, he has had a winner in each of the last six seasons, so you could argue he is due one, and he is known for only traveling with smart types.
Of her main rivals, Lucky Kristale normally finishes her races off well, but has struggled to get her head in front lately, further evidenced by defeat after fifty days off last week. The ground may also be slightly on the slow side. Divine was behind Lucky Kristale earlier this season and is worse off in the weights, but has form that ties in with Betfred Sprint Cup runner-up Strath Burn, so can be in the mix for the place spots.
Mubtaghaa is feared most for the in-form Haggas-Hanagan combination, bouncing back last time out after a better-than-bare-form 7th in the Stewards Cup – with a C&D win last year, he is sure to mount a strong challenge and can be best of the rest.
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