Saturday’s talking points from the track - Mark Boylan

Anyone with doubts over the strength of the Qipco 2000 Guineas form at Newmarket wouldn’t exactly have been reassured by the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas result.

Royal Scotsman, fourth in the opening British classic of the season, proved bitterly disappointing as 6/4 favourite at the Curragh, while it appeared as though shock 125/1 Newmarket runner-up Hi Royal had every chance to excel with how the race unfolded last weekend but simply wasn’t good enough in fourth.

Galeron, who was fourth to smart winner Chaldean in the same event, was never a real threat when fifth in the first Irish classic of 2023.

With leading fancies Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear also bombing out at Newmarket, it could be best to treat that form with some caution for the time being.

The version of Art Power we see at the Curragh is looking a lot like Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros. The Kildare venue is becoming a rich landing spot for the British-trained sprinter.

Tim Easterby was not at the Curragh to discuss plans for the King Power Racing-owned six-year-old after bolting up in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes, but connections will surely be making as many trips as possible back to Ireland given his record on these shores, and Ireland’s lack of top-level sprinters.

Albeit Art Power is at his best over six furlongs, he’s bound to be a big player if aimed at the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival. A Royal Ascot handicap winner over the minimum distance, he should be very comfortable with the drop in trip if conditions were on the easy side come the autumn.

Talented apprentice Joey Sheridan clearly got a real kick out of shedding his 3lb claim with a premier handicap victory on Timourid and there’s every chance he’s set for an important season.

A seven-day careless riding ban incurred at Gowran last week won’t help his momentum but his Curragh victory meant he has already notched nine winners from 81 rides this term - one more winner than during the entirety of last season when picking up 247 mounts. He has started brightly.

Bound to be fighting it out for champion apprentice honours come the end of the year, he could actually benefit from losing his claim in terms of opening up more weight options this summer (having put up 2lb overweight in his win on Timourid).

With his regular mount Princess Zoe now appearing to be set for a more concentrated National Hunt campaign, here’s hoping he can find another flagship horse over the coming months to advertise his talents on the big stage.