Sole Power and Reckless Abandon star in Betfred Temple Stakes confirmations

Sole Power returns in triumph after landing the Betfred Temple Stakes in 2011, while he was beaten just a neck in the race last year. Can he make it two out of three on Saturday? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Sole Power, who won the Betfred Temple Stakes two years ago and was a neck second to Bated Breath last year, is one of 20 horses confirmed at the five-day stage for the next QIPCO British Champions Series race, the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock Park on Saturday, race one in the Sprint division.

Sole Power, trained in Ireland by Edward Lynam, showed he is in top form when winning the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes at the QIPCO Guineas Festival two weeks ago, in which he defeated Kingsgate Native and Tangerine Trees, both of whom may reoppose on Saturday.

Another Irish sprinter, Maarek, who won the QIPCO British Champions Sprint on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot last October, is also engaged along with Mince, who won four on the bounce to round off last season, and the highly regarded Pearl Secret.

One of the most fascinating entries is the three-year-old colt Reckless Abandon, who won five out of five last season, including two at Group 1 level, and who will be bidding to keep his unbeaten record intact for trainer Clive Cox.

Another to note is last year’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up, Spirit Quartz, trained like Kingsgate Native by sprint specialist Robert Cowell.

The final declarations for the race will be known mid-morning on Thursday while the race itself is due off at 3.50pm on Saturday, live on Channel 4.