Everything in place for rising star Art Power to wow again in day-four opener

Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap | 5f | 3yo | SKY

Art Power, the horse who wowed racing fans on the sport’s first day back this month, could prove a Group horse in a handicap in the inaugural running of this five-furlong contest for three-year-olds.

A five-and-a-half-length demolition job of a Newcastle novice, from which the second and ninth have since won, suggested the Tim Easterby-trained colt could be a future star.

Such is his class that connections mulled a tilt at the Commonwealth Cup but opted for this handicap assignment. The market certainly has not missed Silvestre de Sousa’s mount, who was a five-length winner at York on soft ground on his sole turf start in October.

Stall 19 is a positive for Art Power, as is stall 21 for recent Scurry Stakes second Keep Busy, who has the benefit of two runs this term after finishing seventh to Commonwealth Cup hope Dubai Station in the Betway Pavilion Stakes at Newcastle.

The unexposed Dancin Inthestreet is another market principal, while Lambeth Walk, one of four runners for Archie Watson, could be an interesting contender under Oisin Murphy if returning to the peak of her juvenile form.

What they say

Declan Carroll, trainer of Spartan Fighter
We campaigned him quite highly after he beat A’Ali in a maiden in a good time. He was a bit unlucky in a couple of runs and heavy ground was against him on his final start in France. He goes there in good form.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Art Power and Rayong
We’re all very excited about Art Power. He has an obvious favourite’s chance. The rain has arrived, which he’ll love, and a stiff five furlongs at Ascot should be ideal. Rayong was very unlucky in the Windsor Castle last year – he would have gone very close. He’s by Mayson and we’ve never been able to get him on soft ground since then. He’ll run a nice race.

Karl Burke, trainer of Classy Moon, George Cornelius and Rayong
Classsy Moon is lightly raced, will handle ease in the ground and has a good draw in stall 17. George Cornelius has a bit to prove after his run at Beverley. This is a bit of a recovery mission but he's shown ability in the past and is also well drawn.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Flippa The Strippa
I'm really pleased with her and we were encouraged by her run at Newmarket. She has some decent form from last year and has a good each-way chance.

Flippa The Strippa (left): a Listed winner at Sandown at twoCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Hughes, trainer of Sir Oliver
We've put blinkers back on him and hopefully we'll see a different horse as his run at Haydock wasn't a true reflection of what he'd been showing us at home. The ease in the ground should be okay for him.

Jane Elliott, rider of Triple Spear
I'm looking forward to riding him and the rain they've had will be no hindrance to his chances. He's pretty unexposed and won nicely at Haydock so hopefully he can run well.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of City Walk
City Walk will be suited by dropping back to five furlongs and his mark is workable. He’s in good condition and has been working well. I hope cut in the ground will suit him but that’s the unknown.

William Haggas, trainer of Dancin Inthestreet
I’m not sure she wants too much rain and she's a bit out of the handicap. She’s always had talent and this looked a nice race for her when I saw it had been introduced.

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