Royal Ascot 2015: King’s Stand Stakes preview (15.40)
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Sole Power has conditions to suit at Royal Ascot, and can make history by securing a King’s Stand Stakes hat-trick.
A total of 11 horses have twice won the 5f Group 1 contest in the past, but none have managed three.
Sole Power, who has won the last two renewals, comes alive at the track and relishes quick ground.
The Eddie Lynam trained gelding has a potent turn of foot, as he showed when coming from miles off the pace 12 months ago to impressively beat Stepper Point by 1 1/2 lengths.
Sole Power went on to land the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in similar fashion, and looked as good as ever despite his advancing years when landing a Group 1 contest at Medyan on his seasonal reappearance.
The eight-year-old failed to back up that success when a well beaten fifth to Mustajeeb at the Curragh last month, but the race was over 6f and he has never won over it.
Sole Power was also very tenderly handled by regular rider Richard Hughes once it was clear he would not be winning, and the son of Kyllachy is likely to prove a different proposition now dropped back to his ideal trip of 5f.
Muthmir has an ultra-progressive profile, and looks a big danger judged on his victory in a Group 2 contest at Chantilly when last seen in action.
Although Muthmir only beat Catcall by a short-head, the four-year-old didn’t get the clearest of passages and showed a good turn of foot to get up on the nod.
There was lots to like about the way in which the son of Invincible Spirit got the job done, and the guaranteed strong pace in this will suit Muthmir who remains open to further progression and looks well worth a crack at this level.
Mecca’s Angel is a big player for northern handler Michael Dods following an impressive success in a Group 3 contest at Longchamp on his seasonal reappearance, whilst Australian raider Shamal Wind also commands plenty of respect.
Australian trained sprinters have a good record at this meeting, and Shamal Wind has won her last two starts in good style and has the services of Ryan Moore in the saddle.
