British raiders looking for more rich pickings in Mercury Stakes

8.00 Dundalk
Al Basti Equiworld Mercury Stakes | 5f | ATR

British trainers have a fantastic record in this 5f listed race and in a bid to bring the prize back across the Irish Sea for the fifth consecutive season, David Griffiths and Charlie Hills have given the green light for Take Cover and Love On The Rocks to take their chance.

The track record was broken in this race a year ago by Caspian Prince but in his absence Take Cover fits the profile as a generally reliable sprinter who doesn’t seem to be slowing down despite his age.

The 10-year-old is a previous course and distance winner and victory in this feature worth almost €50,000 would represented the gelding’s 14th of his career.

Griffiths said: "He is really well and we are pleased with him as he has been freshened up since he last ran at Newbury .

"His home work has been good and he goes there in great form. He won the race two years ago but has a 3lb penalty this time around but that's not really a worry and we are more than hopeful of another good run."

Charlie Hills sends over the filly Love On The Rocks, a three-time winner and the mount of Colm O'Donoghue.

Ardhoomey may be without a win since landing the Group 2 Flying Five Stakes at Irish Champions Weekend last season, but the five-year-old has received a vote of confidence from Colin Keane.

The title-chasing rider has opted to ride the previous course and distance winner over the two-year-old, Blue Uluru, who is also trained by his boss Ger Lyons.

Declarationofpeace is the most interesting horse in the race. Victorious on his two previous visits to Dundalk, the two-year-old War Front colt clearly appreciates the all-weather, and races off just 8st 9lbs as he tackles older horses for the first time.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “He showed he likes the surface by winning over the trip on his two previous starts at the track. He's in good form and we're looking forward to a good run.”

Others to note are Moviesta, a two-time winner at the track, the consistent Go Kart for Patrick Prendergast, and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Duplication, one of six previous course and distance winners in the sprint.

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