Sole Power is set to return to Royal Ascot on Saturday after he achieved the first leg of a coveted sprint double by winning the King’s Stand Stakes for the second year running.
The Eddie Lynam-trained seven-year-old will now bid to replicate Australian sprinter Choisir’s 2003 double when he runs in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Lynam feels Sole Power has never quite been afforded the respect his record warrants, with this success under new jockey Richard Hughes his sixth triumph in Group company.
Just like 12 months ago, when capably guided by the now-retired Johnny Murtagh, the 5-1 chance only emerged from the pack late as Stepper Point led most of the way.
Young pretender Hot Streak then looked like vindicating his high profile and 3-1 favouritism, once he nosed in front inside the final furlong (200m).
But Hughes ensured Sole Power had a perfect run towards the far rail and he effortlessly wiped away the deficit to win going away by a length-and-a-quarter.
“He was the best horse in the race, experience has won him it,” Lynam said.
“This horse has been lucky because he’s never had a well-known trainer but he’s always had a top-class jockey.
“That was his 17th run in a Group One and he’ll have his 18th on Saturday.”
Stepper Point, trained by William Muir, ran an extraordinary race as a 50-1 outsider to fight back for second place from Hot Streak.
Trainer Kevin Ryan intimated Hot Streak would next run in the July Cup at Newmarket.
