Washington DC turns in capital performance at Dundalk

Group 1-placed as a two-year-old, Washington DC made an impressive return to action when landing the listed Paddy Power-sponsored Patton Stakes in emphatic style in Dundalk last night.

The Zoffany colt, which won at Royal Ascot and chased home stable-companion Air Force Blue in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes last year, hit the front with less than a furlong to race and ran on strongly to beat Alphonsus comfortably by two and a quarter lengths, with Most Beautiful third, completing a double for Aidan O’Brien and Seamus Heffernan.

“He had good form, has plenty of class and did everything right,” said Heffernan. “He travelled well and quickened. He saw the seven furlongs out well and time will tell whether he’ll get a mile.”