Review dundalk 20th Oct

< Take Cover continues to roll back the years and showed great tenacity to take top honours in the Al Basti Equiworld Mercury Stakes at Dundalk.

David Griffiths' 8-11 favourite was sent straight into his customary front-running role but lost the lead to Hit The Bid well over a furlong out.

David Allan asked the British 10-year-old for one last effort, though, and the response was admirable as Take Cover got back up by a neck to repeat his victory of two years ago in this Listed contest.< Katiymann was only third when favourite here last week but made amends in the Book Your Christmas Party At Dundalk Handicap.

Pat Smullen left it late on Michael Halford's 5-2 favourite, only collaring Fuwairt in the dying strides after flashing down the outside.

Smullen and Halford followed up courtesy of Massif Central in the www.dundalkstadium.com Maiden.

Making his debut for the stable having been bought for 200,000 euros after finishing second in the Group Three Royal Whip Stakes on his final appearance for John Murphy, the 1-2 favourite took a while to get on top but eventually beat Pipes Of Peace by a length and three-quarters.< Storm Has Broken (14-1) stepped forward massively on his first start outside of maiden company to land the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap.

Darren Bunyan's youngster put the pace to the race and ran right the way to the line to account for So Enjoy by half a length.< Thomas O'Malley (7-1) took the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Claiming Race, while divisions one and two of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap went to Boxer Dunford (3-1 favourite) and Bouquet Garni (8-1) respectively.

Oisin Orr left it really late on My Direction (9-1) but produced Ellmarie Holden's charge with a perfectly-timed challenge to collar Thunder Crash in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap.