Friday's racing: The Highway Rat justifies supplementary entry fee

An 18/5 winner, The Highway Rat was recording his fourth win on the polytrack, to the delight of his connections

The Highway Rat & Rinan Whelan win the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Pat Smullen Stakes. Picture: Healy Racing

Supplemented for €5,000 on Monday, The Highway Rat repaid Andy Oliver’s confidence when landing the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes in Dundalk this evening.

Another significant sprint winner for Ronan Whelan, the Dandy Man colt broke smartly, was always close to the pace and produced plenty in the closing stages to see off May Sonic, best of the three British challengers, with 66/1 shot Strong Johnson producing a career best in third.