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Lynam bids for Fifth Group 1 with Anthem

Anthem AlexanderAnthem Alexander
© Healy Racing Photos

Eddie Lynam is aiming for his fifth Group One of the UK season in the Connolly's Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The trainer has enjoyed an incredible campaign raiding the big races in Britain with star sprinters Slade Power and Sole Power .

He saddles Anthem Alexander in Saturday's six-furlong Group One, and his Queen Mary heroine has to reverse Lowther Stakes form with Tiggy Wiggy, having previously beaten Richard Hannon's speedball at Royal Ascot.

"All has been well with Anthem Alexander since York. Pat Smullen once again takes the ride," said Lynam.

"With Tiggy Wiggy in the race it's going to be difficult and whether or not we can reverse the Lowther form with her, we'll have to see."

Hannon is prepared to make hay while the sun shines, and Tiggy Wiggy's six-length win in the Super Sprint at Newbury and her superb victory in the Lowther would indicate she is still on the march.

"The way to evaluate her is her races, and her last two have been her most impressive," said the Wiltshire handler.

"She was our first two-year-old runner and we thought she'd go to Kempton and do OK, but she never saw another horse. She's very quick and sweet to deal with, but she can be a little bit quirky.

"I've got to be honest and say that I thought they'd gone way too fast in the Lowther, but to her credit she kept going. Arguably that was the best fillies' race of the year, they all turned up and ran their race. Her form is unknockable.

"We won't think about the Prix de l'Abbaye until after the race - the Cheveley Park is one of the great races in the calendar and it would be fantastic if she could pull it off."

Karl Burke runs Explosive Lady, just touched off in a sales race at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

The North Yorkshire handler said: "It was slightly frustrating last time. It was a little bit disappointing, but, at the same time, she ran very well. She's a progressive filly and we are throwing her in at the deep end. There are two or three exceptional fillies in the race.

"I think she will run very well and if there are any blips in there we might be there to pick up the pieces."