Village defies drift for Cotter

The market got it wrong in the six-furlong handicap at Dundalk as the easy-to-back Little Village got the better of two well supported rivals. Bangalore Diamond (backed from 6/1 in morning into 3/1 favourite) looked set to collect after making the running as he led them into the final furlong.

He was collared in the closing stages however as the Sam James-ridden Little Village and Luckiest Owners (16/1 into 8/1) finished best.

The Kieran Cotter-trained mare edged the verdict by head despite drifting from 4/1 in the morning out to 10/1.

"This is not a bad place! That's a third and a winner today," said Cotter afterwards.

"With a bit of luck she might win another one but she needs a cut in the ground.

"We made a policy decision a year ago that if the horses were no good they were out the door. We've whittled it down to six or seven horses." Cluin Aine has been third in the previous maiden for Cotter.

Gary Carson & Michael Graham