19:15 Dundalk

Friday 22 October 2021

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:17 | Winning time: 58.28s

(9)

Harry's Bar^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 106| CD

10/3

Smart gelding. Ten wins from 31 Flat runs. Career best when winning 8-runner minor event at this C&D (7/4) 21 days ago by 1¾ lengths from The Highway Rat. Expected to be bang there.

Form: 006251

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Master Matt^b,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Colin Keane| T: M J Smith| OR: 102| C| D

8/1

Useful gelding. Course winner. Latest win at Tipperary in August. Creditable fifth of 22 in handicap (20/1) at the Curragh (6f, good) 40 days ago. Others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 172915

(2)

May Sonic²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: C Hills| OR: 104

7/1

Smart gelding. Six wins from 18 Flat runs. 3 wins from 9 runs this year. Second of 3 in minor event at Chelmsford City (6f, 15/8) 27 days ago, slowly away. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 721042

(8)

Strong Johnson^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: K J Manning| T: J H Scott| OR: 100| D

66/1

Useful gelding. Latest win at the Curragh in August. 16/1, 9 lengths tenth of 14 to Power Under Me in listed race at the Curragh (6f, soft) 12 days ago, finding test too much. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 107270

(4)

The Highway Rat²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A Oliver| OR: 102| BF| CD

18/5

Smart colt. C&D winner. 3 wins from 8 runs this year. Latest win here in July. Creditable 1¾ lengths second of 8 to Harry's Bar in minor event at this C&D (6/4) 21 days ago. More needed.

Form: 012192

(6)

Urban Beat^v⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 107| BF| CD

17/2

Smart gelding. C&D winner. Below form 1½ lengths third of 15 to Master Matt in listed race (9/4) at Tipperary (5f, good) 57 days ago. Visor back on. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 546133

(7)

Dandalla¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Gavin Ryan| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| D

11/2

Useful filly. 15¾ lengths thirteenth of 14 to A Case of You in Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp at Longchamp (5f, soft, 42/1) 19 days ago, very slowly away. Yard also saddles Lady In France.

Form: 605510

(3)

Lady In France^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| D

8/1

Smart mare. 46/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, 8¾ lengths ninth of 14 to A Case of You in Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp at Longchamp (5f, soft) 19 days ago, hampered. Possibilities.

Form: 4-03979

(5)

Stormy Girl²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 98

7/1

Useful filly. First run since leaving Rebecca Menzies when bit below form 7½ lengths fourth of 9 to Art Power in Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good, 6/1) 27 days ago. Makes polytrack debut.

Form: 44816-4

Forecasts

Harry's Bar (10/3), The Highway Rat (18/5), Dandalla (11/2), May Sonic (7/1), Stormy Girl (7/1), Lady In France (8/1), Master Matt (8/1), Urban Beat (17/2), Strong Johnson (66/1)

LADY IN FRANCE has finished nearer last than first on each of her last three starts, but she would have every chance here if reproducing the form of her close third in the Temple Stakes during the spring. It's worth noting that she was a winner of her sole previous start on the all-weather. Harry's Bar, who got the better of The Highway Rat over C&D last time, and Urban Beat rate the main dangers.