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Leger third The Mediterranean out to snare Group 3 prize for O'Brien

The Mediterranean (right): fine third to Hurricane Lane at Doncaster
The Mediterranean (right): fine third to Hurricane Lane at DoncasterCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sunday: 3.35 Curragh
Raa Atoll Loughbrown Stakes (Group 3) | 2m | 3yo+ | RTV

Aidan O'Brien won this Group 3 for a second time in three years 12 months ago with a three-year-old who ran in the St Leger at Doncaster a fortnight earlier.

Dawn Patrol finished sixth to Galileo Chrome before beating Barrington Court here and this year the Ballydoyle trainer relies on The Mediterranean, who was a fine third to Hurricane Lane at Doncaster 15 days ago.

He looked a thorough stayer there, keeping on stoutly up the home straight under Wayne Lordan, who keeps the ride. That was a career-best from The Mediterranean according to RPRs, and if he runs to the same mark of 115 he should take all the beating with the weight-for-age allowance.

Search For A Song's hat-trick bid in the Irish St Leger came unstuck two weeks ago as she could only finished sixth to Sonnyboyliston. That was her first start since May and she is entitled to improve on that. Champion jockey Colin Keane rides the five-year-old for the first time.

Lismore has made giant strides since joining Henry de Bromhead. The four-year-old filly, named after a village in County Waterford, won the Henry II Stakes in impressive style at Sandown in May, stretching away in the closing stages under Jamie Spencer for a
four-and-a-half-length win over Ranch Hand.

Barrington Court needs rain, so for the fourth year in a row and a fifth time in six years, this can go to a three-year-old as The Mediterranean appears to have plenty going for him.


What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Lismore
She's in great form but it's been frustrating as we've been waiting for an ease in the ground for her and the rain just hasn't come. Hopefully it will come before the race as we're really looking forward to getting her back out again.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Barrington Court and Silence Please
We're praying for some rain for Barrington Court, but I'm not sure whether we're going to get it. She's in great order and I'm hoping she'll have a good autumn but we need the ground to soften a bit for her. On the other hand, if the rain doesn't come Silence Please will be absolutely fine with the ground the way it is.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Search For A Song
She's very well and I just hope we don't get too much rain. She ran well for a long way in the Irish St Leger and I was happy with her. You have to remember she had been off for a long time before the Irish St Leger so I'm hopeful of a big run from her.


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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 25 September 2021inPreviews

Last updated 16:44, 25 September 2021

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