'She's run some exceptional times' - King Power reveal plans for top sprinters

The biggest Group 1 sprints in Europe await stablemates Winter Power and Art Power after both horses enhanced their reputations on a good day for owners King Power Racing on Saturday.

Trained by Tim Easterby, Winter Power made it four wins from her last five starts when taking the Listed John Smith's City Walls Stakes at York, while Art Power ran a courageous race to finish fourth in the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

A clash between the pair looks unlikely at this stage, with Winter Power heading back to York for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs on August 24, while Art Power is likely to chase a first Group 1 success over a furlong further.

Watch Winter Power strike again at York

"The Nunthorpe is very much Winter Power's plan," said Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power. "We're still discussing and are undecided as to whether she will run at Goodwood because the Nunthorpe and the Prix de l'Abbaye are her two main targets.

"The ups and downs of Goodwood might not be ideal and we'd rather have her cherry ripe for York."

Already a Group 3 winner, Winter Power's sole attempt at the highest level ended in defeat after she raced exuberantly in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot but Donald is adamant she has the ability to win a Group 1.

"I wouldn't swap her and she goes in any ground – soft or quick," he added. "You would ideally like her to go a little bit slower in the early stages but with a filly like that, you don't want to be taking a pull in a five-furlong race. She's got her way of going but it would be great if she did just switch off a little bit more.

"The fast five of York is ideal and the last two times she's run there she's been super impressive. She's run some exceptional times and done it carrying penalties."

Art Power: ran another fine race to be fourth in the July CupCredit: Patrick McCann

Art Power raced with just one other rival along the far side rail in the July Cup, yet led inside the final furlong before eventually fading to fourth, the same finishing position he occupied in last season's Betfair Sprint Cup and Qipco British Champions Sprint, and both those Group 1 races will again be on his agenda.

"Haydock and Ascot are the number one targets for Art Power," said Donald. "We've not quite decided where we go next but we were delighted that Saturday was the first time he's raced on fast ground and he handled it well.

"I don't think it was great being all on his own with nothing to race against and he was going very hard early. I was surprised he lasted as long as he did and he's getting better. At some point, I think he will get his day."

Josh Bryan: received plenty plaudits after his winning ride on Johnny Drama at YorkCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Johnny Drama was another Saturday star for the King Power team, winning on turf for the first time since May 2019 when taking the John Smith's Cup at York under a "brilliant" ride from Josh Bryan.

Watch: Johnny Drama prevails in a thrilling John Smith's Cup

"On turf he just seems to want genuine good, good to soft ground and everything was ideal," said Donald. "It was a good training performance by Andrew Balding to have him cherry ripe, because he'd had a bit of an injury after his all-weather campaign, and a brilliant ride. It was great to see how thrilled Josh was and how much it meant to him.

"We're undecided where we go next – we'll see what the handicapper does."

Another King Power runner, Chil Chil, was far from disgraced on her first shot at the highest level when finishing ninth in the July Cup and Donald revealed she is likely to stay in training next year with connections confident the best is still to come.

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