Moore aboard Power in Meydan Sprint Multiple Group One-winning sprinter Sole Power is expected to improve significantly for his seasonal return as he warms up for World Cup night in the Meydan Sprint on 'Super Saturday'. With regular rider Chris Hayes sidelined through suspension, the nine-year-old will be partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time since winning the 2014 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, as he takes on a number of old rivals in the five-furlong Group Three contest. The Eddie Lynam-trained gelding, winner of more than £2million in prize-money, was last seen finishing down the field in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin back in December. Paddy Power, son of owners David and Sabena Power, said: "Sole Power arrived in great nick - he's well used to travelling and has been coming here for six years, so knows exactly where he is. Like us all, he loves a bit of sun on his back. "This is his first run since Hong Kong in December so, while he's ready to go and doing his best on Saturday, he'll come on plenty for it and will be even better for his big night when he defends the Al Quoz. "I have been accused of being overly optimistic in the past, but I think he'll win on Saturday and then win by further on World Cup night! "Chris Hayes is gutted to miss the ride through suspension, but Ryan knows him well having ridden against him loads of times and won on him, too." One of the chief threats to Sole Power will be the Ian Williams-trained Sir Maximilian, who had a number of the field behind him when claiming a course and distance handicap last month. Williams said: "His performance last time was very good. I think Pat Dobbs now understands how to ride him. "His first run out there this year was a little below par but, with a view to what his end target is, he did well. He won that decent handicap last time. "While there are horses rated higher than him, he comes into the race on the top of his game. Hopefully they are using it as a prep race for the Al Quoz, but reports from my travelling head girl are that everything is good out there and we are looking forward to running him on Saturday." Having endured a frustrating campaign last year Jungle Cat made a winning return to action last month over six furlongs. Although dropping back to the minimum trip for the first time in his career, trainer Charlie Appleby is hoping he can handle it and book his ticket to the Al Quoz on March 26. He said: "He was a very consistent two-year-old and was just touched off at Royal Ascot (to The Wow Signal in the Coventry Stakes). "After Royal Ascot last year he pulled half his foot off and that's why we he had the time off, to let it grow again. "A nice break has done him no harm and he was very impressive on his first start in Meydan. Dropping back to five furlongs is not a negative, but that is the only concern."
