19:30 Dundalk

Friday 9 March 2018

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

32Red Patton Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:33 | Winning time: 1m 38.8s

(1)

Mendelssohn^b¹²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| D

4/6

Looked to be getting stronger as his juvenile season went along finishing second of nine in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket before winning under this jockey in the Group 1 Juvenile turf in the Breeders Cup in November.

Form: 81721-

(3)

Seahenge¹³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112

6/1

Third behind stablemates U S Navy Flag and Mendelssohn in the Dewhurst before disappointing in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. May have to settle for a place here.

Form: 15138-

(4)

Irish Minister^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 80

50/1

Without a win in three starts here including last time out over 7f when second of 12 behind Editorial last month. Looks out of his depth here.

Form: 4-42

(6)

Threeandfourpence¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

4/1

Fourth of nine when last seen in the Dewhurst behind Seahenge and Mendelssohn. Receiving 5lb from his stablemates which should register him as the biggest danger to the favourite.

Form: 214-

(7)

Zihba⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| C

14/1

Choisir colt who cost €62,000 as a yearling and is a half-brother to 7f winner Double Fast. Winner at this track on debut in a 7f maiden in December.

Form: 1-

(2)

Blackgold Fairy¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P J Smullen| T: M Halford| CD

12/1

€62,000 yearling by More Than Ready is a half-sister to three US winners at up to 1m. Winner over C&D last month beating 13 rivals 6½L. Will need to step up again.

Form: 6-1

(5)

Princess Yaiza⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 87| C

10/1

Casamento filly who wasn't sold for €18,500 as a yearling. Solid and promising performances here last year when landing a double over 7f but may need more than the fillies allowance to land a blow here.

Form: 9311-

(8)

Ship Of Dreams^t⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| C

14/1

Promising on debut here over 1m when third of 14 last December before taking a 14 runner maiden in good style at the turn of the year but more needed in this company.

Form: 3-1

Forecasts

Mendelssohn (4/6), Threeandfourpence (4/1), Seahenge (6/1), Princess Yaiza (10/1), Blackgold Fairy (12/1), Ship Of Dreams (14/1), Zihba (14/1), Irish Minister (50/1)

Three strong contenders from the Aiden O'Brien stable with Group 2 Champagne Stakes winner and Dewhurst third Seahenge, Newmarket Group 1 fourth Threeandfourpence, who receives 5lb here, most likely to give MENDELSSOHN the most to think about in this Listed contest. The three-year-old, with Ryan Moore in the plate, followed up his second in the Dewhurst with a win in the Breeders Cup turf in November with his sights now on the Kentucky Derby.