Sarsfield impresses in Meld Stakes success

Patrick Sarsfield made it four victories in-a-row as he ran out an impressive winner of the feature at Leopardstown, the 'Green Room' Meld Stakes.

Having won the valuable Nasrullah Handicap on his most recent start at Navan, the Joseph O'Brien (completing a double on the card) trained four-year-old was upped in class to Group 3 company this afternoon.

Sent off a 5/2 chance under Declan McDonogh, the son of Australia chased the leaders on the inner and came with his challenge from the two furlong pole.

He was pushed along to lead over a furlong out and kept on well in the closing stages to register a two length success.

The hat-trick seeking Ancient Spirit (4/1) couldn't match the winner once headed over a furlong out, but he plugged on gamely to take second under Shane Foley. Fort Myers (18/1) was three parts of a length back in third, while Zabeel Prince who was sent off the 5/4 favourite, finished a disappointing fifth for Roger Varian and Colin Keane.

Brendan Powell, assistant trainer to Joseph O'Brien, said: "Declan said it was just a nice gallop but he travelled lovely and when the gap came he quickened up really well and did it like a good horse.

"He just has that one kick and then gallops but you have to hand it to him what he's done in his last three runs. He seems to have improved every time.

"He's a grand horse and has a good attitude. He's very laid-back. Eddie Greatrex rides him every day at home and he just goes through the motions. Every task we've asked him he’s gone and done it."

On Rekindling s comeback run in the previous race, Powell added: "You'd have to be delighted with him. I know he was rated a lot higher than them but he's had a long time off. Tom said he settled lovely in the race, had a bit of a blow but he loved the way he finished in a messy run race.

"He'd love a real true gallop the whole way but at least he was hitting the line running. Hopefully he's okay tomorrow and in the next few days and we can have a bit of fun with him.

"Whether he's the horse he was I don’t know but I'm sure there is a nice staying race to be won with him somewhere."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S. Foley, rider of Ancient Spirit (GER) trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right.

O.J. Orr, rider of Georgeville (GB) trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee