Merchant Navy sets sail in Ireland for first time Aidan O’Brien’s Australian import Merchant Navy faces classy sprinters Brando and Tasleet in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh today. The winner of five of his eight races Down Under, the Fastnet Rock colt was beaten just a neck by Redkirk Warrior, who is one of the favourites for the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, on his last outing. O’Brien famously succeeded with another ex-Aussie runner in Starspangledbanner, who won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup in 2010. Speaking when he hosted the media at his Ballydoyle stable last week, O’Brien said: “He has a lovely relaxed way of moving and has a lovely mind, which is always a bit of an advantage for a sprinter. “He is going to be here for Ascot, but I’m not sure if he can be here for the July Cup as he has stallion obligations in Australia and has to be back in time to start for that.” O’Brien also runs Spirit Of Valor and Intelligence Cross. Despire being a six-year-old, Kevin Ryan’s Brando has been as good as ever this season in winning the Abernant Stakes and finishing second in the Duke of York. He lost little in defeat behind the current sprint king over six furlongs, Clive Cox’s Harry Angel. William Haggas’ Tasleet was supposed to run there after winning it last year, but met with an 11th hour setback. A model of consistency last year, his only disappointment came in the July Cup but that was not the first time he had disappointed at Newmarket and Haggas has said he will not return there. He was second in two Group Ones at Ascot and again at Haydock. G Force was a Group One winner himself, but back in 2014 when with David O’Meara. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then but Adrian Keatley has nursed him back into winning form recently, albeit in handicap company. “He’s been running consistently well this year, he won the time before last and he was unlucky the last day,” said Keatley. “Whether he’ll be in love with the ground will be the question mark, but he’s running for prize-money and hopefully he’ll run well. “He’s in the Wokingham, but races like the Stewards’ Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup are likely to be his main targets.” Ger Lyons’ Ardhoomey, Jim Bolger’s Smash Williams and Eddie Lynam’s new recruit from France, Fas, complete the field.
