8.15 Dundalk: the one race you cannot afford to miss on Friday

8.15 Dundalk
Al Basti Equiworld Mercury Stakes | 5f | Group 3 | 2yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

A superb sprint with seven of the 14 runners boasting a three-figure rating.

The star of the show, according to ratings, is El Astronaute who is rated 111 and makes his 51st appearance in the hands of Jason Hart. It will be the six-year-old's first trip to Dundalk but his two previous visits to Ireland resulted in a handicap win and a second in a Group 2, both at the Curragh.

El Astronaute spearheads a six-strong British challenge and recent Chelmsford winner Leodis Dream is sure to be popular with punters after enjoying a terrific summer.

The battle for the Irish Flat jockeys' championship continues with the pace-setting Donnacha O'Brien on Deia Glory from the Michael Dods stable and Colin Keane set to partner Blue Uluru for his main employer, Ger Lyons.

What do the stats say?

Hit The Bid ended a sustained period of British dominance last year.

Darren Bunyan's charge was the first Irish sprinter to score since Timeless Call in 2013. Sir Maximilian (2014), Take Cover (2015, 2017) and Caspian Prince (2016) won four in a row for British-based trainers.

Experienced performers have had the edge in the last decade and no two-year-old or three-year-old has been successful since the race began in 2008.

That statistic will be tested as there are four juveniles and another four from the Classic generation taking their chance this year.

What do the trainers say?

David Marnane, trainer of Alfredo Arcano
He probably needed the run last time as he was out with the washing in his two runs at the Curragh and it was the first time he was competitive in a while. He had a good blow afterwards and we think he'll come forward nicely for it. He loves the place and should run well in what is a very competitive race.

John Quinn, trainer of El Astronaute
He’s come out of his French run really well. He still seems in good form, so we’re expecting a good run. I was thrilled with his run last time, he’s been a wonderful horse for us every year.

Darren Bunyan, trainer of Hit The Bid
We have freshened him up since Newbury, which came a bit quick after the Curragh. He's been in great shape since his last run and we are delighted with the draw [stall one].

Michael Dods, trainer of Deia Glory
We thought we'd run her in this because she's going back home to the stud and we can run on the way home. It's her last run and she's in good form, but it's a tough race – a rise in class – and the wide draw in 13 is a headache.

James Tate, trainer of Dream Shot
It's always hard to tell when you're a two-year-old taking on older horses, but he gets the weight allowance and we're running out of options. He's a winner on the all-weather and going left-handed is probably his favourite way round. He's in good form so we'll give it a good go, while he's drawn eight in the middle, so that can't be too bad.

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