Oliver reveals dual-purpose ambitions

Andy Oliver revealed plans for to become a dual-purpose trainer following the win of his Scotch Beg in the Get Ready For Autumn Rated Novice Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

Ridden by Andrew Lynch, the daughter of Presenting made all for a game two and a quarter lengths win over Canny Tom who, fortunately and unfortunately, was again finishing in familiar runner-up territory.

Afterwards the race Oliver revealed “the whole focus of what I’ve been doing in recent times has been to give myself dual-purpose (flat & jumps) capacity. I used to train national hunt horses and had plenty success at it and enjoyed it but we evolved more into flat.

“Now I’m trying to move towards dual-purpose and it allows the yard to continue all year around. There’s a great interest in national hunt up here which you have to be able to cater for.

“In recent times, we refurbished my original gallop and we built a new seven furlong gallop which gives us three different gallops to use. It allows us every option for every type of horse and at my recent Open Day, there seemed to be positive feedback and we’ll see what comes out of it.”

“This (Scotch Beg) is my only jumper at the moment but we’ll have some three year olds who will convert to hurdlers.”

Regarding Scotch Beg, the dual Group 2 winning trainer added “she loves it around here and Andrew (Lynch) knows her well. She got into a comfortable, nice rhythm and stuck at it well.

"He (Lynch) made his play at the beginning, kept an even pace and didn't use energy. They joined him at the top of the hill and she filled up, got a breath and kicked for home; it was a lovely ride.

"We will probably come back here a month's time providing if there is no extremes (in ground)."

Quotes from Michael Graham