BRITISH raiding sprinters have largely made hay when coming across the Irish Sea to contest the Group 2 and Group 3 sprints in recent seasons. Indeed, the first renewal of the Flying Five Stakes as a Group 1 last season went for export with Karl Burke’s Havana Grey proving too strong for the home team.

One man who has swam against the tide with regard to this trend is Eddie Lynam, trainer of superstar sprinters Sole Power and Slade Power, who both gave Ireland a footing in some of the best sprint races around the world in and around the 2013, ‘14 and ‘15 seasons.

This proven prowess gave Lynam the nickname of ‘Fast Eddie’ and though the Dunshaughlin-based trainer has come off the radar a little in recent seasons, he is very much back in the limelight this year with the mare Soffia, who takes on the Flying Five on Sunday.

Soffia, owned by Lady O’Reilly, is a special story as she was pinhooked by Lynam’s daughter Amy and has progressed all through her career right to the top.

Indeed just 12 months ago, on the same card the aforementioned Havana Grey took this Group 1 sprint, she won the Bold Lad Handicap off a mark of just 87.

Since taking a listed race at Naas in May, Soffia has won at Group 3 and Group 2 level, her latest victory a seriously impressive performance in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes.

Speaking to The Irish Field Irish Champions Weekend Podcast during the week, Lynam said: “I’ve been pleasantly surprised with her progress.

“The plan was to win a listed race with her as a four-year-old but she has just kept on improving and her last run in the Sapphire Stakes was a 10lb better performance than her win just before that.

“So she is improving, but I think even if she ran close to how she did in the Sapphire, she can be more than competitive.”

Soffia has been put in as favourite by bookmakers on Sunday but will have to face a strong British challenge with the likes of Mabs Cross, Soldier’s Call and Houtzen coming over to the Curragh.

Of the opposition, Lynam added: “I’m just glad Battaash is taking the weekend off! That is bad news for the Irish racing public but great news for everyone in the race!

Soffia will bid to continue her progression in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow \ carolinenorris.ie

“But it is still a very strong race – you have Mabs Cross, a Group 1 winner and you have Soldier’s Call, who has done everything bar win a Group 1. It’s a very strong field, as good as it has been.

“It’s great to have a Group 1 sprint in Ireland. We didn’t have one when Sole Power and Slade Power were around but we have one now, and it’s great we have Soffia to run in it.”