tracked leaders, 3rd early, 4th approaching straight, soon closed travelling smoothly, pushed along from 2f out, challenged and on terms 1f out, soon led, stayed on well
soon disputed lead, took keen hold early, headed and 2nd approaching straight, soon pushed along, dropped to last 1f out, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th early, 7th approaching straight, soon closed on outer travelling smoothly, pushed along from 2f out, 6th 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, 4th early, 5th approaching straight, soon pushed along, challenged and almost on terms 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
pushed along from early, soon in rear, 8th approaching straight, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening
tracked leaders, 5th early, 3rd approaching straight, soon pushed along, challenged and on terms 1f out, soon one pace
held up, 8th early, 9th approaching straight, soon pushed along, 8th 1f out, one pace
soon disputed lead, led approaching straight, soon pushed along, joined over 1f out, soon headed, one pace
took keen hold, towards rear, 9th early, last approaching straight, soon pushed along, switched left over 1f out where 9th, one pace
YOUR PAL TAL (NAP) had been threatening to win for some time before scoring over the minimum trip a fortnight ago in what looked a better race than this. A 7lb rise looks a little harsh but his young rider has a good record and his claim takes care of the extra so a quick double looks on the cards. Fifth-placed Almadaa looks held while Summer Isles finished last on her first start for over a year and may need another outing. Doonard Prince is closely matched with Almadaa on their run at Naas in the summer and this appears to be his best trip. The front-running Corker Hill has never raced over this short in 17 starts but has generally led up to this trip so could be suited. The much-travelled Larghetto has joined Willie McCreery and all three of her career victories have come on Polytrack but her former stablemate Shushu Sugartown has yet to lose her maiden tag. Cottrell gained his only success on this track just over a year ago when rated 67 so the fact that he's on 54 for this is an obvious pointer to his chances.
Your Pal Tal 10-3 (8-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcap pol beating Majestic Timeline (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Summer Isles 25-1 (9-1) Dwelt, always rear, never a factor, pushed along and no extra over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Your Pal Tal (8-2) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Almadaa 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, no impression in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Your Pal Tal (8-2) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Corker Hill (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Prominent and disputed lead, ridden and 3rd 1f out, no impression in 4th and short of room close home, 4th of 9, 2l behind Indian Landing (10-2) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Doonard Prince (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Broke well, tracked leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 6l behind Misty Lane (9-9) at Dundalk 7f app hcp pol in Oct.
Larghetto (USA) 7-2 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 5l behind Red Tide (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Nov.
Shushu Sugartown (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden inside final furlong, kept on and no impression, 5th of 11, 5l behind Queen Aggie (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) in Nov.
Annie Irish (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 7th halfway, went 5th 1f out, soon edged left under pressure, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 8l behind Robin's Choice (9-2) at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol.
Cottrell 5-2fav (9-3) Led, headed after 1f, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out, not clear run briefly over 1f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Tsar Paul (8-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Sweet Annathea (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden under 2f out and 8th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Rigid Rock (9-0) at Dundalk 5f hcp 47-65 pol.
