Review dundalk 26th Oct

< Balmont Mast showed a smart turn of foot to follow up a course victory earlier this month by taking the feature Mercury Stakes at Dundalk.

Eddie Lynam's four-year-old (7-2) travelled in mid-division in the five-furlong Listed contest but sliced through the opposition in the final furlong under Johnny Murtagh to beat Nocturnal Affair by a length.< Starspangledbanner still a Breeders' Cup possible, was sent of the 3-1 favourite and overcame a bad draw to get into a prominent position, but he ran on at one pace in the straight and could finish no better than fourth.

Lynam and Murtagh doubled up when top-weight Atmospheric High (3-1) landed the first division of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Handicap.< Lily's Angel has been revitalised by a change of scenery and made it two wins from two runs since joining the Ger Lyons yard from Britain in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race.

Gary Carroll was going noticeably best turning into the straight and having eased up to the leaders, the filly (7-4 favourite) quickened clear when asked and finished three lengths to the good.

There was more to come from the Lyons yard when Joe Eile took the Foley's Antiques Naas Handicap after Emmet McNamara showed commendable patience in waiting for a gap before producing his run.

When it came the 10-1 shot pulled to the outside and always looked as though he would get there, overhauling hot favourite Russian Soul close home and passing the post a head in front.

First-time blinkers did the trick for the Andy Oliver-trained Cut Me Loose (8-1), who ran on strongly under Chris Hayes's driving to peg back Lyons' Golden Flower by half a length in the Arkle Memorial Statue Fund Nursery Handicap.

Sabrina Harty's 8-1 shot Ansgar seemed to enjoyed himself out in front and kicked well clear at the furlong pole in the hands of Declan McDonogh to take the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap by two and a quarter lengths.