Tal still on course for Ayr

Johnny Levins’ long-term plan to have a crack at the Ayr Gold Cup with Your Pal Tal remains in place following the progressive five-year-old’s narrow victory over Majestic Timeline in the opening five-furlong handicap in Dundalk last night.

Ridden by stable apprentice Donagh O’Connor, the Dark Angel gelding got up late to foil front-running Majestic Timeline (Chris Hayes) by a head, completing a fine hat-trick on the polytrack.

Levins reaffirmed his plans: “He’s going the right way and is heading towards premier handicaps – he should get into the bottom of the big races. The long-term plan is still the Ayr Gold Cup and, even further ahead, he could be a horse for Dubai next year.”