Patrick proves a saint for O'Brien as he makes winning debut in Group company

It is a mere three weeks since Patrick Sarsfield landed a Premier Handicap over 1m1f at Leopardstown off a mark of 86. After looking like a Group horse in a handicap that day, he went on to prove he was just that with a commanding victory on his first attempt at Group 3 level in the 'Green Room' Meld Stakes.

It was a brave move by his trainer Joseph O'Brien to throw him in at this level so quickly after he appeared to have had quite a hard race when winning a second Premier Handicap at Navan a week earlier, but the decision proved a correct one. Ridden handily by Declan McDonogh, the son of Australia quickened up decisively between horses to go to the front early in the straight, and having gone a few lengths clear he really galloped to the line to account for front-running Ancient Spirit by two lengths.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "You have to hand it to the horse for what he has achieved in a short time. Declan said he travelled lovely and he quickened up really well like a good horse. He's grand with a lovely attitude, but he's very laid back and relaxed as well.