Review CURRAGH 29-JUL-2000

Takali successfully reverted from pacemaking duties for dual Derby winner Sinndar by taking the featured Meld Stakes at a low-key meeting.

Niall McCullagh's mount responded gamely under pressure in this Group 3 event, heading Yara in the closing stages to score by a neck.

'He is a half-brother to Takarian who also finished fifth in the Irish Derby and won this race in '98,' said trainer John Oxx.

He added: 'The Royal Whip Stakes is a possible target, although he is likely to be asked to pacemake again for Sinndar.'

Sinndar is 'fresh and well', and goes next for the Prix Niel at Longchamp.

The McCullagh/Oxx alliance doubled up in the finale where Fantasia Girl also got on top close home to beat Mythological by 1/2L.

Pat Shanahan partnered a near 67/1 double aboard Softly Tread and Goldstreet.

Softly Tread could run next in the Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown in a fortnight after just holding on by a shorthead from Resonate in the Listed Tyros Stakes.

A large group from Microsoft UK in London had a day to remember after leasing Goldstreet from the Crock Of Gold Syndicate to run in the 10f handicap.

The 3yo gelding duly led a furlong out to beat Lammas by 1 1/2L, with Distinguished Cove catching the eye by staying on to finish a close-up fourth.

The 'Heinz' is also a possible target for La Vida Loca (1/1-6/4), who led inside the final 1/4m to beat Patinham by 1 1/2L in the 5f maiden.

Tarakan, owned by JP McManus' mother Bride, swooped late under Fran Berry to land the 7f handicap, and heads next for a #50,000 handicap at Galway next Sunday.

Somesession (14/1) provided in-form Eddie Ahern with another winner when showing good speed throughout before comfortably holding the late flouish of Apollonius by a neck.

Not surprisingly on a day when all 7 favourites were beaten, the jackpot pool of #10,572 was not won, and is carried forward to the next meeting here on August 20.