Dundalk preview Sir Maximilian begins his second career with Ian Williams in this evening's Mercury Stakes at Dundalk. The five-year-old made huge strides this season for Tim Pitt, but owner Paul Wildes decided to move the sprinter back to Williams, who had him for a short spell last season. Pitt won a Chester handicap with him off 88 in May and he produced a career-best on his last start when beaten just less than two lengths in the Prix de l'Abbaye. In between, he won the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh and a Group Three at Tippperary, so obviously likes the Irish air. "He's only been here about a week, but I did formerly train him and bought him for the owner, so it's nice to have him back. His run at Longchamp was outstanding," said Williams. "I think he was three-quarters of a length in front of Abstraction on a run at Tipperary earlier this year and is 3lb worse off. "He's well drawn (stall two), Stevie (Donohoe) knows him well and the horse seems in good form." Williams' also runs An Cat Dubh in the Christmas Party Nights at Dundalk Handicap, with the recent Musselburgh winner another to have transferred from the care of Pitt. Some familiar names feature in the Book Your Christmas Party At Dundalk Handicap, and Bubbly Bellini leads the pack after winning once and finishing second twice already this month. Adrian McGuinness' runner will be having his 83rd start as he tackles the likes of Burn The Boats, Strait Of Zanzibar and Rummaging in the seven-furlong contest. The regally-bred Tigris River lines up for Aidan O'Brien in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap after hitting the target at Killarney on his latest appearance. By Montjeu out of Classic winner Hula Angel, Tigris River spent much of the spring and summer acting as a lead horse for dual Derby winner Australia but showed he nevertheless has that winning spirit by seeing off Special Tiara over two miles. Galway winner Whitey O'Gwaun and the Ger Lyons' pair of Captain Teemo and Unrequited are others to note. O'Brien also fields a likely type in Adeste Fideles, who tackles the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Maiden. Two divisions of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap and the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Maiden complete the card.
