America easily follows-up on recent course success

Art Of America followed-up on his course success from last week, as he easily accounted for his sixteen rivals in the first division of the Gowran Handicap.

The Noel Meade trained gelding made the breakthrough in first time blinkers here just eight days ago, and was sent off at 5/1 this afternoon.

Settled behind the leaders by Colin Keane, the son of American Post took closer order on the approach to the straight, and soon cruised through to lead.

He was ridden over a furlong from home, and stretched clear inside the final 200 yards, going on to score easily by four and a half lengths in the colours of owner Philip Munnelly. Giorni Felice (12s to 8s) came through to take second under Shane Foley for Eddie Lynam, while Don't Quit (8/1) was another three parts of a length back in third. Scorpion Black was sent off the 9/2 favourite under Declan McDonogh for Dermot Weld, and he completed the places a length and a quarter away in fourth.

Meade said afterwards: "He probably improved a bit from last week, and the trip certainly would have helped him. He travelled well, and I thought the way he went around the back stretch that he might come on a bit and he did.

"There is not a whole lot left for him on the Flat but if there is a race before the end of the season we might run him as long as he stays well. He's not very big but he jumps quite well and he will try hurdles."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee