'We didn't see the real Art Power at York': Easterby bullish ahead of Sprint Cup

Ignore Art Power at your peril – that was the strong message to Betfair Sprint Cup punters from Tim Easterby and Silvestre de Sousa.

The trainer and jockey are convinced the progressive three-year-old is better than he showed when sixth behind Battaash in the Nunthorpe Stakes last month and they are looking forward to a second crack at Group 1 company.

Before York, Art Power had won his four previous starts, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot and the Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas.

King Power Racing's sprinter has won three races with soft in the going description by a combined total of 11 lengths and looks set to have conditions in his favour at Haydock.

Easterby, who has won the Sprint Cup with Pipalong (2000) and Somnus (2003), is hoping for a better show this time and said: "Art Power is in great form, he came out of the race really well. He wasn't sharp enough on the track on the day in the Nunthorpe but he'll be suited by Saturday."

View the replay of Art Power's winning start in Group company

De Sousa is certain the horse was not at his best last time and said: "Even going down to the gate he was very switched off, like a mile-and-a-quarter horse, I just felt he wasn't himself."

Looking ahead to Haydock, he added: "He's a horse who loves bottomless ground and you usually get soft ground there. I don't think we saw the real Art Power at York, I think the world of the horse and I think he's better than he showed."

Art Power is a best-priced 15-2 for Saturday's £225,000 contest, in which ante-post favourite Oxted was announced a non-runner on Tuesday.

More to read:

Sprint Cup favourite Oxted ruled out after below-par piece of work

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