O'Brien has two runners at Leopardstown
Aidan O’Brien has runners in the twin features on an attractive seven-race card at Leopardstown tonight.
The Meld Stakes (Group 3) and the newly-formed Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mimosa Stakes are both worth €70,000.
In the Meld Stakes, six runners face the starter, with two English raiders engaged.
Reigning English Champion Jockey, Kieren Fallon, flies over to take the mount on the Amanda Perrett-trained Carnival Dancer while Ikhtyar represents the powerful John Gosden stable.
The home defence is headed by the Dermot Weld-trained In Time's Eye who pulled off a nice touch for connections when winning a rated stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Aidan O'Brien's Mingun has looked a quality performer in winning his only two outings to date this season.
The Mimoma Stakes is confined to fillies and there are 11 runners headed by the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Danehurst - one of two English raiders - the other one being John Gosden's lightly-raced Gilded Edge.
Of the home team, Jim Bolger's Bon Expresso and Michael Halford's Daganya look best but if Danehurst is anywhere near her best this prize looks booked for export.
The Tyros Stakes over seven furlongs again features a strong English challenge with John Gosden's Privy Seal, who finished third to runaway winner, Three Valleys, in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Aidan O'Brien has two to choose from here with Go For Gold bound to improve considerably on his narrow debut victory at Gowran Park last month while Jim Bolger's Il Pirata ran a good race when third to Antonius Pius in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Derby Day.
The concluding Richmond Race promises to be a cracker with the likes of Hanabad, Middlemarch and Napper Tandy engaged while Latino Magic won a big handicap at the Curragh on Derby Day.
Following a fine effort behind Mingun at the Curragh last time, Hanabad may be capable of getting his head in front while the unexposed Middlemarch is sure to go close.
Ones To Watch:
6.15pm: Go For Gold
6.45pm: Bragadino
7.15pm: Danehurst
7.45pm: Mingun
8.45pm: Hanabad
