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Jessica Harrington can't wait to push talented Indigo Balance up in class

Indigo Balance: holds strong claims at Tipperary
Indigo Balance: holds strong claims at TipperaryCredit: Patrick McCann

Sole Power Sprint Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 3yo+ | RTV

A solid Listed race with eight of the 12 horses rated 100 or above and a couple of unexposed ones for good measure.

Make A Challenge has yet to hit top form in two starts this season but will be aided by the ground softening, while Urban Beat is just about as solid a sprinter that you can find at this level.

Of the older horses, Indigo Balance could be of most interest.

A horse who began his career with Jessica Harrington, he failed to live up to expectation in Australia but seemed to be coming back to his best on his second start since returning to the stable.

On that occasion last month, Indigo Balance made light work of the opposition in a handicap at Tipperary and looks well capable of stepping back into Listed company here.

Steel Bull: won the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last summer
Steel Bull: won the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last summerCredit: Edward Whitaker

He could be a tough nut to crack, but the three-year-olds Logo Hunter and Steel Bull have bundles of potential.

Steel Bull has the burden of a penalty, but he rates as a major player judging by his Molecomb win as a juvenile.


What they say

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Harry's Bar
I want soft ground for A Case Of You and good ground for this fella so I suppose I can't have it every way. If it's too soft he won't run.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Make A Challenge
He's in good nick and should be better suited by the ground this time. That should be a massive help to him.

Willie McCreery, trainer of Downforce
If there is a downpour we will be laughing. We just need the rain for him.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Indigo Balance
I'm very excited about Indigo Balance. He was very good at Tipperary and we're looking forward to stepping him back up in class. The rain has come, which helps as he likes an easy surface, so I'm just hoping for a good performance.

Eddie Lynam, trainer of Romantic Proposal
It looks a strong running of the race, but the filly is ready to start. Five will probably be a bit on the sharp side for her but we will see how she gets on. We're looking forward to getting her back on track.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Steel Bull
He's in good order and has done well over the winter. This is a starting point for him and he will improve for the run. He has a penalty so he is wrong at the weights with the older horses, which is typical of the programme book for five-furlong three-year-olds – they don't really get much of a chance in Ireland. He's going to have to feel his way and I think he will be well capable of mixing it in this company in time.

Michael Browne, trainer of Logo Hunter
He's in very good form and we're hoping the ground stays good. How he will be against the older horses I don't know, but I hope he can run well. We think he's a very good horse and we're raging that the Commonwealth Cup is now closed to geldings as that would have been the race for him. I think he's good enough for a Group 1 and, if he is, he will run well here.


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