Irish-bred sprinters stamped their class in Saturday's Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock, which saw the progressive PROFITABLE (IRE) and Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Mecca's Angel (IRE) battle it out in a thrilling finish. The former was last seen when gaining his first Group win in the Palace House Stakes at the end of last month, while the latter was making her first racecourse appearance since winning the aforementioned Group 1 last August. Clive Cox's PROFITABLE (IRE) was ridden by Adam Kirby to chase the leaders that included the talented filly, taking the lead despite drifting left in the final furlong, battling with Michael Dod's charge in the closing stages, before getting his neck in front on the line. The pair will both now go for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot, in which the third horse Waady (IRE) also holds an entry.

PROFITABLE (IRE) is one of Group winners by Irish National Stud stalwart Invincible Spirit (IRE), who has so far only had progeny placed in the Tuesday sprint at Royal Ascot. He was bred by Con Harrington, whose family also bred and raced his Indian Ridge (IRE) dam, who has produced three Stakes performers, including Princess Margaret Stakes second Full Mandate (IRE) and Albany Stakes third Danidh Dubai (IRE), who is also a Stakes-producing dam herself.

There was also a 1-2-3 for Irish breeders in the other Stakes race on the Haydock card, the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes for fillies and mares over six furlongs. Already Listed and Group placed, the Rae Guest-trained JANE'S MEMORY (IRE) chased the leaders under Richard Kingscote, responding well to encouragement two furlongs out to lead inside the final furlong, overtaking Ridge Ranger (IRE) to win by half a length, with Interception (IRE) a further three parts of a length back in third. Her black-type will be much-appreciated by owner/breeder Padraic O'Neill of Knocklong House Stud in County Kildare, who sold her two-year-old half-sister for €155,000 at last year's Goffs Orby Sale. O'Neill also bred her dam Dancing Jest (IRE), who won three times for Guest, and is a half-sister to dual Group winner The Kiddykid (IRE), from the family of Prix du Jockey Club victor Natroun.