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Rising star avoiding issues affecting some of trainer Lynam’s string

Eddie Lynam is keeping his fingers crossed his star filly Soffia  can avoid the issues affecting some other members of his string ahead of her tilt at the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh next month.

Having won a Listed prize at Naas and the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes earlier in the campaign, the daughter of Kyllachy produced a career-best performance to complete her hat-trick with an impressive display in last month's Sapphire Stakes.

She is set to step up to Group One level for the first time on the second day of Irish Champions Weekend (September 15), and Lynam is hoping she can maintain full health in the meantime.

"Soffia is in good form, but the yard isn't. We have a lot of coughing and dirty noses, so I'm hoping she stays clear of it. At the minute she is fine," said the Dunshaughlin-based trainer.

"She really excelled the last day and just keeps improving. I'd have been disappointed if she wasn't placed and delighted if she won, but she didn't win – she bolted up. She was very impressive.

"Roll on Champions Weekend. There would be a temptation maybe to supplement her for the Nunthorpe, but we'll wait for the Flying Five."