CORK 18:08 1hh5o

Non Runners: LI BAN (IRE), FREGADA (IRE).

Time: 1m 4.9s

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 100.8%

A cracking renewal of the Polonia, Group 1-winning Babouche understandably sent off favourite but both she and the same connections' Revoke shaped as if the outing was needed and it was the other runner at single-figure odds - one of a pair of British-trained raiders - that obliged in a tight finish.

FIRST INSTINCT confirmed promise of her reappearance in a similar event (race starting to work out), taking her tally to 3-5 and completing another successful Irish raid for the yard, its strike rate now 30% on these shores since pre-covid; close up, driven 2f out, led entering final 1f, closed down near line; has loads of speed and it'd make sense to keep her at short of 6f for the time being.

TOWN AND COUNTRY (IRE) hails from a National Hunt yard whose runners mainly disappointed at Punchestown the previous week but nevertheless seemed to excel herself back up in grade, likely to have won in another few strides; in rear, ridden under 2f out, good headway 1f out, ran on, just failed; will prove as effective at 6f.

SONGHAI (IRE) showed much improved form upped in grade and switched to turf after 8 weeks off, obtaining some valuable black type; waited with, pushed along 2f out, headway when switched approaching final 1f, every chance last ½f, stayed on; likely to progress further.

BABOUCHE had much the best form (Group 1 winner as a 2-y-o) and shaped as if she'd come on plenty for the outing fitted with a tongue strap after 7 months off; mid-field, shaken up under 2f out, progress on near wing 1f out, kept on, not knocked about; not the biggest, however, and her next run should reveal plenty more.

GRANDE MARQUES (IRE) shaped as if she's going to at least match her useful form at 2yrs, running out of steam only late on returning from 7 months off; led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final 1f, not quicken late on (lost further 2 places near finish).

MAW LAM (IRE) back down in trip, wasn't seen to best effect for the second start in succession but it remains to be seen if she can reach the same heights as a 3-y-o; dwelt, raced off the pace, forced to switch over 1f out, late headway.

BEAUTY QUEEN (IRE) back on turf after 7 weeks off, wasn't good enough returned to this grade but isn't one to write off when back in a handicap; prominent, ridden under 2f out, no extra final 1f, not persevered with once held.

USDI ATOHI (IRE) without the headgear this time, ran even worse back sprinting and needs to now show that she's trained on; handy, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, carried head bit awkwardly.

REVOKE looked rusty under a change of tactics after 7 months off, also racing on the near win in a race that unfolded mainly down the centre; raced off the pace, pushed along halfway, never involved; her second outing at 2 yrs when behind Lady With The Lamp has worked out well and she remains capable of better.

TRULY ENCHANTING (IRE) whose promising 2-y-o campaign had been curtailed by a set-back, shaped as if better for the run dropped in grade after 10 months off, also ending up a bit isolated on the far wing from the lowest draw; mid-field, effort 2f, weakened gradually final 1f; it's possible that she's best on softer ground.

SARATOGA SPECIAL (IRE) faced a stiff task in this grade and needs to learn to settle; mid-field, brief headway under 2f out, beaten when carried right soon after, eased off.

LIKEDBYMIKE (IRE) without usual hood, had finished just behind the runner-up last time but was found out in better company, already on the retreat when finding trouble; dwelt, in touch after 1f, driven 2f out, carried right approaching final 1f, left behind, eased off.