Art Power© Photo Healy Racing
Art Power relished the ground when landing the William Hill Ireland Renaissance Stakes for the second year in a row.
The Tim Easterby-trained grey was soon in front and raced with great enthusiasm. He was pressed over a furlong out and briefly looked vulnerable but found more and went away to beat fellow raider Sam Maximus by three lengths.
Having also scored at Naas in 2020, the five-year-old entire is unbeaten in his Irish starts.
Winning rider David Allan said: “He’s a very strong traveller in his races. He bounced out of the gates, travelled strong and put it to bed quite nicely.
“He did the same last year and hopefully he’ll go to Champions Day and get a bit closer as he was fourth in that last year after this. That will be his target again I’d imagine.
“The ground was too quick last time in Haydock and he stumbled out of the stalls and didn’t really run his race. It’s not his cup of tea as he likes a bit of cut in the ground.
“I just want him to win a Group 1 now, I think he deserves it. He’s only been out of the four once in a Group 1.”
Paddy Power cut the winner to 10/1, from 20s, for next month's British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
Quotes from Alan Magee
