Weld runs Merger in Virginia Derby

Racing
Dermot Weld will break new ground in the US next weekend - and he plans to take the legendary American jockey Jerry Bailey with him.

Weld is planning to run his smart three-year-old Merger in the $750,000 Virginia Derby next Saturday night in what will be his first runner at the Colonial Downs racetrack.

The Eclipse award-winning rider Bailey has been booked for the mount and it will also be his first visit to the course which is located near the city of Richmond.

Last season's champion American turf horse Kitten's Joy won the Grade Three race in 2004 and then went on to land the Grade One Secretariat Stakes at Arlington. Merger has been a consistent performer this season and his CV includes being placed behind Fracas in the Sandown Classic Trial in May.

Weld has a spectacular record in the US including scoring a classic success with Go And Go in the 1990 Belmont Stakes and last year winning the American Derby with Simple Exchange. However, his first American raid of 2005 drew a blank last weekend as Sweet Firebird was unplaced in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

An all National-Hunt card on a Saturday evening in July is unusual but Fairyhouse does the honours and Ruby Walsh looks like the man to get punters off to a good start in the first couple of races.

Banasan's third placing at Naas behind Amid The Chaos was enough for the Michael O'Brien- trained horse to start favourite for a competitive handicap at the Curragh over the Derby weekend but the versatile seven-year-old ultimately disappointed.

Only a small field line up for the conditions hurdle this evening and now he is back to the jumping game Banasan looks well worth another chance. Walsh is also on board Lorikeet in the opening maiden hurdle and the Michael Halford- trained horse will be a major contender.

The champion jockey teams up with Kelly's Craft in the Beginners Chase and the Mullins horse has a 3lb swing with Camdengreenmachine on Ballinrobe form behind Monjoyau. It may not be enough against the Fahy runner, however.