Lynam & Marnane both hopeful for Meydan Sprint

Edward Lynam expects Sole Power to improve on last year's 14th place as he tackles the Al Quoz Sprint for a second time at Meydan.

The five-year-old was a shock 100-1 winner of the Nunthorpe back in 2010 but was beaten in this five-furlong race on his next start last March.

He subsequently won the Temple Stakes and finished third in the Prix de l'Abbaye, and was not beaten far when ninth in Hong Kong in December.

He looked in top trim when narrowly touched off by the reopposing Invincible Ash in a conditions sprint at Meydan earlier this month, and Lynam believes that run should have brought him on again.

"It was the first time I'd got him off a plane to run well after a break and I think that shows he's that bit more mature nowadays," he explained.

"Last year he ran in this race and it was his first run for nearly eight months.

"He tanked along for about two furlongs and then cut out. He has always performed better with the benefit of the run and I feel that race recently has brought him on nicely."

Sole Power has been drawn high in stall 15 for Johnny Murtagh meaning he will be finishing off nearer the stand's side on Saturday evening.

"There looks to be speed on both sides of this race. I hope they go a bit quicker than in the race on Super Saturday when they went very slow early on and it meant our horse could not get cover for long enough," Lynam added.

Robert Cowell fields two in the race, Group One winner Prohibit and previous Meydan victor Monsieur Joe.

Prohibit won the King's Stand Stakes last term but has proved a bit disappointing in two starts so far this year, although Cowell felt there was a valid excuse for his ninth place behind Invincible Ash.

"He was very dehydrated when he ran last time (on March 10) and the vets have done a great job because he seems absolutely spot on now," Cowell said.

"I'm hopeful he is back to his best. If so, he has a serious chance. It's a strong race, no doubt about it. The winner will probably be the horse that has the clearest run."

Big-race Jim Crowley said: "Hopefully he'll run a bit better - he wasn't quite right last time - but I have spoken to Robert and he says he's hopeful of a big run."

Cowell admits Monsieur Joe faces a huge task in Group One company but feels the horse could be capable of making the leap.

"He is thriving out here. Every time we raise the bar he seems to reach up and touch it," said the trainer.

"He has got to raise it again on Saturday, but you never know what an improving horse like him is capable of. Everything about Dubai suits him, including the weather."

Margot Did is another runner who brings Group One form to the table after her Nunthorpe victory last term.

The four-year-old was only eighth on her maiden outing at Meydan but trainer Michael Bell is expecting more this time as the filly tries to give jockey Hayley Turner another landmark victory.

He said: "She needed the run in her trial race and was only beaten just over four lengths. I am sure she has improved but it is a question whether she has improved enough to win the race.

"She is in very good form and I am very bullish of a really good run.

"I am happy with stall 16 as she doesn't like being crowded so she can get out and do her own thing from there."

Jane Chapple-Hyam has hit the bar on some big occasions in the past and is hoping Secret Asset can fire her into the big time.

The seven-year-old was beaten just a short neck in the Prix de l'Abbaye last year but he will be having his first start of 2012 here.

"He arrived in Dubai on Monday night and I was glad to hear he'd eaten on the plane and he's eaten up since he arrived," said Chapple-Hyam.

"He is a bit of a character, he's nicknamed Elvis because he has a suspicious mind!

"I've had a second at the Breeders' Cup, Annie Skates in a juvenile race in 2007, and Traffic Guard was second to New Approach in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2008.

"Secret Asset was obviously second in the Abbaye as well, so I've had a few Group One seconds and hopefully it might be my turn on Saturday.

"We decided not to give him a prep run and we just took him for a private racecourse gallop at Wolverhampton on March 9, which went really well.

"We've just decided to hit and run with him as I wouldn't have wanted him to be out in Dubai for a month, even though there is good prize-money in the prep races.

"If you just hit and run, you can then come back to England and keep running, whereas if you go over to Dubai early and have a little campaign out there, you probably have to give them a month off after they come back.

"I'm pleased with his draw, in 14 of 16. He has good horses like Prohibit, Sole Power and Margot Did around him, so fingers crossed.

"If he can run like he did in the Abbaye, where the time was just over 55 seconds, then he should be in the shake-up.

"Tangerine Trees won the Abbaye and we were only beaten a short neck, so if we can run to that sort of time I'll be well happy.

"People talk about Black Caviar running 55 seconds in Australia and our horse is not far away from doing that."

Nocturnal Affair was third behind Invincible Ash and he has enjoyed an excellent Carnival, winning once and placing twice in four starts.

Trainer David Marnane said: "I suppose he has to improve a little bit on his third-placed run last time but if he can run the time he did when he won his previous start, that will put him in the shake-up.

"He is as good as I can have him, so we're hopeful.

"I am delighted with the way he is training at the moment, although it is a tough race with several Group One winners there.

"But my horse is progressing all the time, he knows this place well."