Phoenix Stakes News Michael Bell hopes for a "clean" race when Art Connoisseur bids to enhance his reputation in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. The impressive Coventry Stakes winner faces his stiffest task to date and the trainer believes his star juvenile is capable of handling whatever tactics are thrown at him. "We just want a clean race really, that is all you can hope for," said Bell. "He has a turn of foot off a slow pace, but he also can travel very well off a fast pace, so I'm not too worried how the race is run - he's very uncomplicated." He added: "We think he's better on faster ground. He copes with softer, but you could see the turn of foot he showed at Ascot, so obviously he handles a faster surface very well. "He's done one proper piece of fast work since Ascot, otherwise he has just been doing routine canters - the bit of work he did was good enough to suggest he didn't need to work again. "He'll definitely have another run after this. The Prix Morny is an option, but the ground at Deauville can be suspect. The Middle Park and the Dewhurst will also be looked at." Mastercraftsman will be one of two Phoenix Stakes runners for Aidan O'Brien, along with Sea Of Marmara, while the field is completed by Bushranger, Alhaban and Kamado. Bushranger was beaten only half a length in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and seemed to appreciate the step up to six furlongs when running out an impressive winner of the Anglesey Stakes last time. Trainer David Wachman said: "He seems to be in really good form, so we decided we would let him take his chance. He was really impressive last time, but this does look a seriously hot race and time will tell if he is up to this class."
