Mercury looking good at Dundalk A quality 14-runner field will go to post for the Mercury Stakes at Dundalk on Friday evening. The Ger Lyons-trained Ardhoomey, winner of the Flying Five on Irish Champions Weekend, is giving away weight all round, while Aidan O'Brien's The Happy Prince, a Group Three scorer last month, is another with a penalty. For the last two seasons the Listed prize has gone to British raiders, with Sir Maximilian and Take Cover successful. No fewer than seven overseas runners make the journey this year, headed by 2015 King's Stand and Prix de l'Abbaye winner Goldream, but he is on a retrieval mission after a disappointing summer. Caspian Prince becomes new trainer Roger Fell's first runner in Ireland on the back of providing the Yorkshire handler with a first winner at Musselburgh. Roger Varian's Double Up is another with claims. Rarely out of the frame, his only dull run this year came in the King's Stand when outclassed, but he was behind Caspian Prince at Beverley on his last outing. "Double Up has proved a model of consistency this season and the race conspired against him at Beverley," Varian told his website. "I think he will be suited by the return to the all-weather and while this is a competitive race, he has a decent draw and will hopefully be in the thick of things." Medicean Man, Hay Chewed, Fine Blend and Seychelloise are others to travel. The home team is supplemented by Tracey Collins' Chiclet, Eddie Harty's Moviesta and Martin Hassett's Master Speaker.
