THE much-missed Pat Smullen will be to the forefront of racegoers’ minds this afternoon at Naas when the first running of the Listed Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes (4.17) takes place as the card’s feature event.

It was announced earlier this year that the Irish EBF had formed a new ‘Smullen Series’, which consists of 18 middle distance races for two and three-year-olds - including this €45,000 contest over a mile.

Aidan O’Brien, brother-in-law to the nine-time champion jockey, would love to win the inaugural running of the prize with impressive recent Gowran maiden winner Daytona.

“This race is in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us - we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race,” said O’Brien.

“We like him, we think he’s a classy horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day and we think the trip should suit him.”

Smullen’s nephew Joseph O’Brien has two strong chances in the shape of wide-margin Down Royal winner North Coast and Fairyhouse scorer Green Soul. Newcomer Blue Blue Moon would be a most appropriate winner too, given he’s a home-bred for Moyglare Stud - one of the Offalyman’s main supporters. She also hails from the family of Smullen’s Ascot Group 2 winner Sapphire.