led, under pressure and headed 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and edged left to race alone on far rail 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden on outer 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no impression in 7th over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Your Pal Tal completed a hat-trick when landing this a year ago and though not in the same kind of form recently it wouldn't be a shock if he were to bounce back. He was around five lengths behind KISS THE STARS over the track and trip last week when Primo Uomo and Almadaa occupied the places but the winner looked to have something in hand and she can go in again. Split The Atom has been in superb form though over longer trips and this will be his first ever start over the minimum, a remark that also applies to Strategic Force, who has dropped to a very fair mark. Geological scored twice for Richard Hannon and should be winning soon for new connections judged on his two runs on this track.
Geological (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Chiclet (9-8) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan.
Split The Atom (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Jan beating Dark Alliance (9-8) by hd, 9 ran.
Your Pal Tal 25-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, slightly hampered after 1 1/2f, pushed along in 9th 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Kiss The Stars (8-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan.
Primo Uomo (IRE) 6-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 2nd 2f out, progress to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed over 50 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Kiss The Stars (8-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan.
Rattling Jewel 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind Northern Surprise (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Strategic Force (IRE) 2-1fav (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Zylan (10-0) at Dundalk 1m pol in Jan.
Almadaa 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, 10th halfway, switched left and 6th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Kiss The Stars (8-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan.
Kiss The Stars (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 5th 2f out, 3rd and switched right over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led over 50 yards out and kept on well, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan beating Primo Uomo (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
