Plenty of international interest in Mercury Stakes The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes has gone for export six times in the past decade and the five-furlong Group 3 event may well be raided again at Dundalk this evening with contenders from both France and the UK. Bouttemont handled the Tapeta surface at Newcastle when successful on All-Weather Championship Finals Day last year and takes a drop in class here following a couple of runs in Group 1 company including when unlucky in running last time in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp. Kevin Ryan also brings over Queen Me who is fitted with cheek pieces for the first time, while the home challenge includes The Highway Rat, Twilight Jet and Ano Syra. The first on an eight-race card gets underway at 5pm. Racing also takes place at Sligo this afternoon and the going is now described as soft following 12mm of rain since declarations. The forecast for today is mainly dry with the possibility of some passing showers. Josh Williamson, fresh from riding his first winner at Clonmel yesterday, has obvious chances of adding to his tally just 24 hours later aboard Zaidi (3.00) and Bleu De Vassy (5.20). Both are trained by Gordon Elliott and the yard could well have three odds-on chances on the card as Will Do also holds strong claims in the maiden hurdle at 4.10. Paul Townend travels to the north-western venue for just one ride on Horantzau D’airy in the opener at 1.50.
