Your Pal Tal is back Your Pal Tal (6s into 5s on track) was soon to the fore and in the six furlong Follow Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Handicap he fought them all off to prevail under Ronan Whelan. Winning trainer Johnny Levins was keen to credit Whelan in the aftermath, saying: "It was a good call by Ronan as I wanted to drop him out but he felt there wouldn't be much pace and wanted to make the running." The keen going Your Pal Tal led after two furlongs, he was ridden a furlong and a half out, and he kept on well in the final furlong to defeat Fast In The Wind and Ishebayorgrey (favourite, had to switch to deliver his final bid) by a length and a half and the same. "I'm delighted to have him back as I was scratching my head trying to get him right," added Levins. The Stewards interviewed Gary Paul Halpin, rider of Strategic Heights, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were satisfied that Gary Paul Halpin was in breach of rule 211 (a) by failing to keep a straight line from his draw position until reaching the marker poles and consequently fined him €100. The Stewards requested a report from J.F. Levins, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Your Pal Tal (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent form. J.F. Levins reported that his charge had previously won four races here at Dundalk but had lost his form over the winter months. He added that he tried different ideas to try and rekindle his enthusiasm namely by turning him out in a paddock in recent weeks, by omitting the hood which had been fitted in recent runs, by the choice of R.P. Whelan to make the running today rather than dropping him in off the pace, by the return to a six furlong trip and finally by the drop of 12lbs in his rating in what he felt was a weak contest. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report. (AM & EM)
