Power in good form ahead of Temple Stakes

Eddie Lynam is hoping Sole Power can continue his fine recent run in Saturday's Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock despite going to the well for the fourth time in 11 weeks.

The six-year-old had two outings at Meydan in March before lifting the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.

He now makes his third successive appearance in the Group Two at the Merseyside track having taken the prize in 2011 and finished a close second 12 months ago.

"He's travelled over well. He was second last year, just beaten by a very good horse of Roger Charlton's, Bated Breath, and won it the previous year," said County Meath-based Lynam.

"He seems in good form with himself and won his last start. By all accounts the ground is good at Haydock.

"It's his fourth run in a couple of months and he's been around a bit. That would be the slight niggle.

"We're happy with the horse. There are 12 runners, it's not a massive field, so it should be straight forward."

With Sole Power's regular partner Johnny Murtagh in action as both a trainer and jockey at the Curragh, Lynam has booked Fran Berry for the ride.

"Johnny Murtagh is unfortunately unable to ride as he has his first Classic runner as a trainer so he'll be at the Curragh," he said.

"Fran Berry is a first-class jockey and an excellent one to have on your side."

Brian Meehan decided not to run Ballesteros in the Palace House Stakes and has his fingers crossed the ground will be suitable for the four-year-old to make his seasonal debut.

"He's really well and has had a good winter," he said.

"He missed the Palace House because the ground was too fast - he likes good ground or slower," said the Manton.

"We are looking forward to him on Saturday as long as it's good ground.

"He was fourth in the Abbaye so he's proved himself in that category."

Kingsgate Native was beaten a length by Sole Power in second place at Newmarket last time and was also runner-up to him in his this race two years ago as well as winning this prize in 2010.

He is one of two runners from the Robert Cowell stable along with Spirit Quartz, who was third here last year and fifth in the Palace House on his latest outing.

"If the Kingsgate Native we all know and adore shows up with his head screwed on, he will be bang there at the finish. He has improved on his run at Newmarket where he ran well," said Cowell.

"Spirit Quartz ran similarly this year as he did last year in the Palace House Stakes, not handling the track. He is in good form and is Group One class as he proved last year and definitely deserves his chance in the line-up.

"I really couldn't say which one I favour as they both have a good chance."