Mendelssohn leads Irish bid on racing’s richest night

THE richest night in racing will see some of the world’s top Flat trainers converge on Meydan today, with the Irish charge led by Aidan O’Brien.

The Ballydoyle master is triple-handed in the UAE Derby (2.30), with Mendelssohn, Three and four pence and Seahenge all in the mix, while a bold showing would see Mendelssohn – the most favoured of the trio – earn a shot at the Kentucky Derby.

O’Brien expects Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Mendelssohn to handle the unique challenges of the dirt, but Charlie Appleby’s UAE 2,000 Guineas victor Gold Town will pose a stiff task.

“Mendelssohn has drawn well in stall four and things have gone to plan with him. Ryan (Moore) was very happy with him in Dundalk. We’re not guaranteed for sure that he will get a mile and a quarter, but we’re going to find out a lot more,” the 48-year-old said.

O’Brien, who created history last season when winning a record-breaking 28 Group Ones, also chases a second success in the Dubai Sheema Classic (5.10) with Idaho after victory with St Nicholas Abbey five years ago.

The Al Quoz Sprint (3.05) sees Curragh handler Darren Bunyan attempt a remarkable success with Hit The Bid and he is joined by O’Brien’s Washington DC, but both Irish outsiders face a tough ask against favourite Blue Point.

Jessica Harrington saddles Torcedor in the Dubai Gold Cup (1.50), while Lancaster Bomber and War Decree will also hope to land a blow in the Dubai Turf