Art Power remains maintained on his Irish travels after taking the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes in impressive fashion at the Curragh.

The Tim Easterby-trained gelding, who has won the last two renewals of the Renaissance Stakes at this venue and also landed the Lacken Stakes back in 2020 at Naas, bounced out of the stalls and made virtually all.

The 2/1 joint favourite asserted over a furlong out and kept on strongly under Oisin Murphy, riding his first winner at the track, to beat Big Gossey by nearly five lengths. Ano Syra was half-a-length further back in third.

Murphy said, “He was a top-class sprinter and he lost his form a little bit. Tim Easterby and King Power Racing have been patient with him and today he gave me a super feel.

“He loves Ireland and has never been beaten here, that's his fourth victory from four starts, what a fantastic horse.

“I hadn't ridden any winners here before today so I can't say I was very confident .

“This is a great feeling. I managed to win a Listed race on Buckaroo at Leopardstown last month and to be here on such a big day is massive.”

Paddy Power and Betfair both cut Art Power into 8/1 (from 14/1) for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and 20/1 (from 40/1) for the July Cup.

Quotes by Gary Carson