Key trainer quotes as Lynam bids to land Flying Five with speedy Soffia

Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) | 5f, 3yo+ | RTV & RTE2

Eddie Lynam is reaping the rewards for taking things slowly with his latest speedster Soffia.

Known as 'the sprint king', having managed the careers of top-notch sprinters Sole Power, Slade Power and Anthem Alexander, Lynam sent out Soffia to take the Bold Lad Handicap off a mark of just 87 last September.

This time Soffia is bidding to stretch her winning sequence to four and confirm herself the latest star for Lynam by opening her Group 1 account in a race won by Sole Power in 2015.

The rate of progress shown by Soffia this season has been nothing short of astonishing and, having long been the underdog, the four-year-old comes into the race as the one to beat.

Lynam said: "She's in good form, likes the track and the ground will be perfect. I'd have to dust down the excuse book if I was to find any excuses for her."

Eddie Lynam: could celebrate more Group 1 glory with SoffiaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "There's loads of pace in the race and she has a lovely draw, so has plenty in her favour.

"I don't believe Soldier's Call ran his race the last time they met – I believe he pulled a shoe – and you could make a case for Houtzen, who ran very well in a Group 2 last time.

"Mabs Cross is an Abbaye winner and will be hard to beat. It's a very good race. All the race is missing is Battaash, thank God."

On the improvement Soffia has shown this season, Lynam said: "She was 20-1, ridden by a 5lb claimer and rated in the mid-80s for the Bold Lad Handicap this weekend last year.

"I'd say if you went down through this year's Bold Lad field and picked out a 20-1 shot, asked any bookmaker what price they'd give you for them being favourite for next year's Flying Five, I'd say you'd get any price you’d like."

What they say

Darren Bunyan, trainer of Hit The Bid
There's plenty of pace on and the faster they go the better it will suit him. I'd have loved another week or two with him, fitness-wise, but we are where we are and I think he can run well. He's a big price, but I love surprises. If he ends up winning he could go to the Breeders' Cup, otherwise we'd have a look at going to Newbury. All being well we'll head back to Dubai in the winter.

James Tate, trainer of Invincible Army
He ran a good race at Haydock in first-time cheekpieces where he showed quite a lot of speed before fading a little in the final furlong. We think it's worth a try at this trip – it's an open-looking Group 1.

Archie Watson, trainer of Soldier's Call
He's in good order at home and I hope he can run a good race.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Houtzen
She ran really well behind Battaash at Goodwood last time and it's a very suitable race for her. She's in a completely different training regime to her time in Australia, but she's adapted really well and importantly for a sprinter she's really relaxed.

Houtzen (left): was an excellent second to Battaash at Goodwood last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Michael Dods, trainer of Mabs Cross
It's the right race for her and she's very well. It will be interesting to see how much Eddie Lynam's filly [Soffia] has improved and we've been close with Soldier's Call a few times. We're hoping there's a little bit of juice in the ground as it was a bit firm for her at York.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Fairyland and So Perfect
Both of them ran in the Betfair Sprint Cup last weekend and we think they'll appreciate the better ground. Dropping down in trip shouldn't be a problem for them as they've both performed well in Group 1s over the distance this year, Fairyland at Royal Ascot and So Perfect in the Nunthorpe.

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