Mercer hoping for Leger success

Former top jockey Joe Mercer believes Dubai Success could upset the big guns in the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh tomorrow.

Mercer, champion jockey in 1979, is racing manager to Maktoum Al Maktoum, owner of the Barry Hills-trained five-year-old who takes on three-times winner Vinnie Roe.

“Dubai Success is in great form – the softer the ground the better but it doesn’t look an easy competition,” he said.

“On his early spring form he’d have a great chance of being in the money.

“I think Dubai Success, if the ground remains really soft, would have a big shout.

“Barry’s horses are beginning to strike form. They were off for a long time, so we’ll see.”

Mercer has a double interest in the Irish Classic as he is also racing manager to Saeed Suhail, owner of Lonsdale Cup winner First Charter, who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

“First Charter won very well at York. He handled the ground very well and has done very well this year. You’ve got to run a horse of his calibre in these sort of races,” he added.

“The ground tomorrow can’t be any worse than at York. It was tacky but First Charter went through and I always thought he was a top-of-the-ground horse. He coped with it very well.

“Both horses are in great form.”