Amour Storms The Palace

Amour Propre - impressive winner.

Amour Propre is on the trail of Hungarian icon Overdose after establishing himself as a potent force in the sprinting division in Newmarket's stanjames.com Palace House Stakes.

Henry Candy rates the diminutive chestnut favourably with his other top speed merchants, Kyllachy and Airwave, but this was his first major test as a three-year-old against older horses.

Amour Propre obliterated several five-furlong track records as a juvenile, and has clearly retained his zip by beating Hoh Hoh Hoh and Borderlescott by two and a half lengths under Dane O'Neill.

He is now likely to head to Haydock's betfred.com Temple Stakes on May 23, where the unbeaten Overdose is scheduled to make his first British start.

"He was very impressive and it is nice to know he doesn't have to make all," said Candy.

"He didn't have to take on the leader, Dane was able to do it the sensible way.

"He will go anywhere the ground is fast, but wherever we go, the 'Budapest Bullet' (Overdose) is likely to be in our way.

"I'd say we will try the Temple now, but not if the ground is soft."

Asked to compare Amour Propre with Airwave, Candy said: "He is just as quick.

"He hasn't grown a lot, but has a wonderfully straightforward temperament."

Among the group of owners is BBC broadcaster John Inverdale, who has a share in a horse who reportedly cost just £1500.