Aidan O'Brien prepares triple threat for Dundalk's Kentucky Derby qualifier

7.00 Dundalk

Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes (Listed Race) | 1m | 3yo | RTV

Aidan O'Brien is triple-handed in his bid to extend his excellent record in the Listed Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes at Dundalk, where qualification points are up for grabs as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

The Ballydoyle handler was narrowly denied a fourth straight win in the race when Western Australia was touched off by Playa Del Puente in last year's rescheduled running.

However, 2018 winner Mendelssohn flew the Coolmore flag with distinction by producing an incredible winning performance in the UAE Derby on his next start, before subsequently being eased when trailing the field at Churchill Downs in arduous conditions.

Interestingly, O'Brien's trio of representatives this time around are all sired by War Front and won their maidens in Britain last season, with two of those victories coming on the all-weather.

New World Tapestry showed a good attitude to win a Newmarket maiden last SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

He explained: "Our three horses are having their first starts of the year so it'll be good to get a run under their belts. We'll see how they get on here before making any plans but you'd hope they could be horses to travel with.

O'Brien said of his contingent: "King Of Athens won nicely on his final start last year at Lingfield when Seamus rode him and he rides him again.

"Battle Of Liege is another nice horse who won well under Donnacha at Chelmsford on his last start. We think the trip will suit him.

"New World Tapestry won his maiden over seven furlongs at Newmarket before running in a Group 1 at Newcastle. We think he'll enjoy the trip as well."

Crossfirehurricane stayed on nicely to double his career tally at Dundalk three weeks agoCredit: Patrick McCann

Joseph O'Brien is also well-represented in the €75,000 prize, saddling promising three-year-old's Choice Of Mine, who marked himself out as a smart prospect when winning at Dundalk in December, and Crossfirehurricane, who is 2-2 after defying a layoff to win well here three weeks ago.

He said of his duo: "They both seem in good form and have won over the course before, which is a positive, but this is obviously a step up in class so we'll see how it goes."

Tony Mullins also has a live chance in the shape of Howling Wolf, winner of a Leopardstown maiden in July before running below par when trailing the field behind Mogul on Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

Howling Wolf looked a smart prospect when winning at Leopardstown last summerCredit: Patrick McCann

"He's fit and ready to go," said Mullins of the well-regarded Footstepsinthesand colt.

"He's had a little bit of surgery since his last run and we think that he's back to his best. He came to hand quickly after we brought him back."

Mullins added: "We think he's a black type horse and if he's good enough we'll be happy to travel with him. We'll see where we stand after Friday night but we think he has the ability anyway."

Mick Halford enjoyed success in this contest 12 months ago and sends useful maiden Orchid Gardens into battle, while Jessica Harrington's In The Present is another stepping up in class after producing a dominant display to get off the mark at the track in December.

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