Spartan Arrow strikes for Britain in Dundalk’s Mercury Stakes

At Sligo, ten-year-old Colonel Mustard, whose only previous hurdles success came in Galway four years ago, turned over 1/3 shot Sixandahalf in the Solar Generation Hurdle.

Spartan Arrow and Hollie Doyle win the Mercury Stakes (Group 3) for owners Hambleton Racing Ltd XXXI and partner and trainer Archie Watson. Pic: Healy Racing

The Archie Watson-trained Spartan Arrow became the fifth British raider to land Dundalk’s Bar One Racing Mercury Stakes in ten years when outpointing compatriot and favourite West Acre in last night’s Group 3 feature.

A second winner in Ireland for Hollie Doyle (her first was Bradsell in the Group 1 ‘Flying Five’), the 6/1 shot tracked trailblazer Eclairage, edged ahead before the furlong pole and held on by a half-length, with Queen Of Mougins taking third spot.