Timely boost for Halford

Michael Halford, who will saddle favourite Casamento in today’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, received a timely boost when Invincible Ash captured the listed Mercury Stakes at Dundalk last night.

The five-year-old mare tracked the leaders in the five-furlong dash before coming through under Gary Carroll to head front-running Calm Bay inside the final furlong and then holding joint-favourites Hitchens and Luisant by three-quarters of a length and a neck with two-year-old Knock Stars a close fourth.

A five-year-old mare, Invincible Ash was registering her second listed success and provided reigning champion Carroll with his 34th win of the season (one behind Ben Curtis).