BRITISH trainers account for four of the 14 horses currently in contention for a competitive renewal of today’s FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes, and two of the four Group 1 winners in the line-up.

Babouche and Bucanero Fuerte both return to the scene of their Group 1 victories in the Phoenix Stakes, but Tim Easterby’s eight-year-old Art Power boasts one of the strongest records at the Curragh, winning four group sprints, including twice on Saturday’s expected good going.

“He likes it good or softer and we’ve been struggling to find any,” Easterby said, explaining the grey’s absence since October. “He hasn’t had an issue. We were going to get him ready in the spring but it was so dry there was no point and then we’ve found him a couple of races and he wasn’t able to run.

“He’s done a lot of work, he’s in good form and I don’t look to see how old he is. I never look at their age, I just go by what they are showing me. If he was a Champion Hurdle horse, you’d be delighted he was eight.

“It sounds like the ground is good and we’re very happy with him. I know it looks like he’s better there than anywhere but I just think that’s down to the fact it is always nice ground there.”

Fellow raider Kind Of Blue also has something to prove, having disappointed the last twice. James Fanshawe’s charge proved progressive last term; narrowly denied in last year’s renewal and the Haydock Sprint Cup, before taking the British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

Optimistic

The Wathnan Racing-owned colt finished last on reappearance at Chantilly after rearing in the stalls and connections had no explanation for a 10-length defeat next time. Ahead of today’s redemption-seeking run, owner’s representative Richard Brown commented: “We’re on the comeback trail but his work has been very good and James is very happy with him.

“We’ve had a couple of blips but hopefully we can get back on track on Saturday. I think the Curragh will be ideal for him and the stiff finish there will be right up his alley.”

Progressive handicappers and younger horses have taken advantage of an open sprint division this term, and among those fancied to make the grade today are David O’Meara’s Jubilee Stakes fourth Nighteyes and Ger Lyons’ multiple stakes scorer My Mate Alfie.