Sole Power team very confident

Sole Power has been unbeatable over five furlongs in Britain this season and attempts to prove the point on the European stage when he lines up for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Eddie Lynam-trained seven-year-old has swept all before him over the minimum trip, winning the Palace House Stakes, the King's Stand and the Nunthorpe.

Although he was beaten last time, he was far from disgraced in finishing fourth to G Force in the Betfred Sprint Cup over six furlongs at Haydock, where the ground was not ideal for him.

Reverting to his optimum distance and on going that is quicker than usual for this time of year, Sole Power carries plenty of confidence despite a higher than preferred draw.

"We'd have preferred a slightly lower draw," said bookmaker Paddy Power, son of Sole Power's owner Sabena.

"We're bullish. Please God the sun shines until race time on Sunday and let's hope Hughesie (jockey Richard Hughes) can weave his magic.

"It's amazing to say this - the Abbaye is the only Group One sprint in Europe that he hasn't won yet. It would be amazing for him to top off his year on this side of the world, it would be a dream come true for all of us. We're hoping we've got Hong Kong to come as well.

"It really has been an unbelievable year for us. We're hoping our luck hasn't run out - we want to keep it going for as long as possible.

"It was in this race in 2011 we learned he had that finishing kick. He was boxed in that day and finished like a train (when a close third to Tangerine Trees). We didn't realise he had that acceleration until that day and he just got done.

"Sunday's sprint is a five-furlong one and you need things to fall in your favour. If you do make a mistake it will probably cost you the race, but the reality is everyone should be more afraid of us.

"A lot of the other fancied horses are drawn wide as well so it will be interesting how it works out. We would have liked to be drawn seven or eight, not too low for him to get boxed in.

"This is probably as close he'll ever get to having the conditions he likes. I've got massive red-and-white-tinted glasses on and I'm as bullish as ever."

Stepper Point has finished second to Sole Power in both the King's Stand and the Nunthorpe and has drawn stall 14.

Trainer William Muir said: "Every time we've been in this race we've been drawn on the outside, but that's life. It's no good complaining, that's the luck of the draw. It makes it harder as I think it is a big advantage to be drawn low at Longchamp on that course.

"He's in good shape. He's been out Friday morning and has done his work and what he needs to do. He'll run a big race, but if the draw is that much of a disadvantage then it is. What I do know is that he's in top form."

The draw has also been unkind to Cotai Glory as he bids to become the first two-year-old to win since Sigy way back in 1978.

Charlie Hills' speedy youngster will also be out to redeem himself after unshipping George Baker just 50 yards from the line when well clear in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster. Ryan Moore will be in the saddle this time.

"He's drawn 16 and you'd probably prefer a lower draw, but he's a very fast horse and it will be up to Ryan," said Hills. "He'll have a very good chance. He's in good form, it's a big ask but he is improving."

Last year's winner Maarek will race from stall seven, just as he did 12 months ago. Best when there is plenty of cut in the ground, he has yet to reach those heights, although he won the Duke Of York Stakes at York in May.

"There's a little bit of rain forecast for Saturday night and the track is in great condition," said the seven-year-old's trainer Evanna McCutcheon. "We've got the same draw as last year so if we could get the same result that would be fantastic.

"He's been running good races and these sprinters take their turn in winning. He has been running well, he's just not been finishing in place positions.

"He has been in good form all year and he's in very good form now and he's ready to go. It's the Abbaye, it's a bit of a lottery, but we'll see."