Ryan happy with Hot Streak

Kevin Ryan says sprinter Hot Streak is in good shape heading into Royal Ascot.

Hot Streak runs in the five-furlong King‘s Stand Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting and locks horns with Sole Power again, after finishing a bold third behind the star sprinter in the race last season.

The four-year-old has had two starts this season, first finishing an eye-catching third on his seasonal reappearance at Longchamp, before failing to defend his Temple Stakes crown at Haydock in what was a messy race.

The betting market suggests there is little confidence behind Hot Streak, as he is as big as 25/1 with some firms and Qatar Racing retaining jockey Andrea Atzeni has opted to ride the David Barron-trained Pearl Secret instead of the son of Iffraaj.

However, Ryan insists that he could not be more pleased with Hot Streak heading into the race, after saying Sole Power is again the danger.

“Hot Streak ran well in France where he just needed the run, very much like the Palace House last year,” the Yorkshire-handler told Beforetheoff.com.

“Everything went wrong in the Temple last time out, he missed the break which you cannot do in the top 5f races and then had a very rough race.

“He came out of that run fine and we have been very pleased with him at home. He went very close in the King’s Stand last year as a three-year-old but he looks a stronger horse this year and he goes down with a good chance.

“Obviously it is extremely competitive and Sole Power has made the sprinting division his own but we couldn’t be happier with Hot Streak’s preparation and look forward to a good run.”