prominent, chased leader in 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong
made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, ridden under 2f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong
chased leader, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th close home
always towards rear, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Most of these are old friends and beat each other in turn. Strategic Heights had a length-and-a-half to spare over Majestic Timeline in November but the latter reversed the positions three weeks ago when they occupied the places behind the in-form Your Pal Tal. Sylvan Mist was 2l behind Strategic Heights in that November race while Catwilldo finished close up to the latter three times at the beginning of last year and beat him a short-head in April. Boughtforasong was receiving 11lb from Catwilldo when beating him narrowly over 6f in March but that was her only victory in 30 starts and she rarely runs over the minimum trip, nor does Missile Command. COTTRELL has been attempting to make all over 6f and getting outpaced in the closing stages, as he did by Your Pal Tal last week. He's 2lb out of the handicap but deserves a change of fortune and is given the vote in a tight affair.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Led and edged left from stalls, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Your Pal Tal (8-2) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Sylvan Mist (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Strategic Heights (9-11) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
Majestic Timeline (IRE) 7-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, 2nd over 100 yards out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Your Pal Tal (8-2) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Catwilldo (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, hampered after 1f, in rear and pushed along halfway, 10th on outer 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Rigid Rock (9-0) at Dundalk 5f hcp 47-65 pol.
Cottrell 8-1 (8-7) Soon disputed lead, led approaching straight, soon pushed along, joined over 1f out and edged left, soon headed, one pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Your Pal Tal (9-7) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol.
Boughtforasong (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Raced on outer, soon tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along halfway, dropped to 9th and no impression 2f out, eased 1 1/2f out and soon behind,, last of 10, 32l behind Mr Bounty (10-4) at Laytown 6f hcp 47-65 in Sep.
Hard Times (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, 9th on outer halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards, 12th of 13, 12l behind Sister Slew (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Missile Command (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and no extra 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 12th of 14, 6l behind Rigid Rock (9-0) at Dundalk 5f hcp 47-65 pol.
