Stepper Point returned to his best with a battling victory in the Invincible Spirit Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.

William Muir's seasoned sprinter had been out of luck since winning the Flying Five over this course and distance last September.

However, Stepper Point (6-1) bounced back to lift this Group Two in the hands of Pat Smullen after holding the challenge of 8-11 favourite Mecca's Angel.

Stepper Point was cut to 161 (from 33s) by RaceBets about winning the Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month.

Smullen said: "All he had to do was come back to his old form of last year and he'd be very competitive.

"It was pretty straightforward.

"He's a very quick horse and had the rail which was vitally important, so we used it to out advantage.

"The ground is drying out rapidly. I thought we'd put it up to the favourite as he might not enjoy conditions and it worked out."