7.00 5f. 12 Declared. Al Basti Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes (Group 3) of €55,000.00 2-y-o plus
1st - €33,000.00 2nd - €11,000.00 3rd - €5,500.00 4th - €2,750.00 5th - €1,650.00 6th - €1,100.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - BOUTTEMONT's name should ring a bell and he reverts to Group 3 company, having encountered trouble in the Prix de l'Abbaye. His form is in-and-out and a shower of rain derailed him at the Curragh in September but, at Longchamp, he met notable in-running traffic in a messy race. He is a Newcastle All-Weather Championship winner so this surface will suit. The Highway Rat is proven over course and distance and while beaten a neck by Harry's Bar recently, was slowly away then and is 5lb better off. Harry's Bar, a 15-time all-weather winner, might struggle to win while two-year-old Alabama is experienced but has a tough task. Big Gossey has a better turf record than all-weather while Twilight Jet makes his all-weather debut. UK raider Queen Me, running in first-time cheekpieces, also debuts on the all-weather - having dropped to this distance on recent runs.
For two years old and upwardsWeights - 2-y-o 8st 10lbs 3-y-o and up 10st Fillies allowed 3lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2023) Winner of a Group race 3lb extra