Master Artist and Ian Power© Photo Healy Racing
Ian Power has enjoyed a renaissance in the saddle since his return last year and partnered his seventh winner this season on the John Kiely trained Master Artist (11/2jf) in the Thanks To The Frontline Workers Handicap Hurdle.
Based with trainer Noel Meade in the early naughties, Power partnered just seven winners in brief spells race-riding from 2004 until 2020 and today equalled that tally over a nine-month period, having had 127 rides.
Riding maiden Master Artist, Power steered the son of Jeremy to a well-judged, down-the-inside ride, in eventually scoring a length and a half beating of runner-up Toms Courage
Kiely wasn't present and afterwards Power reported “after his last run in Gowran he had something wrong with his knee and had to get an operation.
“He came back and was very keen the last day I rode him at Thurles and then didn't really put up a show but was a lot better today.
“He switched off today which was the main thing.”