Going - Standard. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 185.73 Not Won. Carried forward to Curragh. Placepot Pool - 13,826.43 Dividend - 55.50 Winning Units - 248.73. Days Aggregate - 140,236.26 Last Year 170,754.94
Hunk downs favourite in Dundalk Claiming Maiden
It's a long time coming with this fella!. We were retiring him, getting rid of him, sending him home and then bringing him back. Fair play to Mark (Devlin) and the lads (Nigel O'Hare & Philip Smith) they've stuck with him. This is his gig, up here in this place, and he was weighted well at €5,000. He's a good old fun horse, he does through an odd wobbly one but he's after coming back solid this year after a good long break during the summer. He's in good form and we'll see what the handicapper does with him. He'll probably go back for a handicap if he's not claimed.
Spartacus gives McGuinness and Caffrey opening race double
He was probably a little unlucky not to win last Tuesday,. I had him entered here and in England he went very well on this surface so we decided to come here. It's always in the back of your mind when you come back quick if it's taken too much out of him but he grubbed up well. He had quite an easy week and we left him nice and fresh. Fair play to Adam, he had a good draw and sort of had to make use of it but he didn't do too much. He probably got there a bit too early and he was having a bit of a gawk, especially with the stands there as well. He's in again on Tuesday and if the handicapper is hard on him he might force me to go again. He probably will be declared for Cork. The syndicate who own him are mainly from Armagh, and include former all-Ireland winner Paddy McKeever. There are also a few lads from the US involved.
Graces looks smart on 'official' debut
Rampage lunges late under Ryan to deny Gunner at death
James had the choice between him and Thompson Gunner and I told him to ride whatever one he wanted. He just about got it right!. It's been a little bit disappointing this year that we didn't get a win with him. I thought his coat had gone a little bit on us in the last couple of weeks and I just wasn't sure where we were with him. He battled it out well. They can lead you astray a little bit at this time of year because it's getting colder and some of them start to coat a bit quicker than others. I'd love to go to Bellewstown with him, as local lads own most of him, but with a penalty it probably wouldn't be the right thing. His first run here was a real good run, when fourth, and he didn't run bad the next time either. I'd say as long as he's in form we'll tip away.
Leonard just Dynamite on Hogan's Defense
Bellezza bags Listed prize at Dundalk
We're delighted, she's a filly that we've always thought a lot of. She's had a few hard luck stories in races but she's just put it together there and showed what we thought we had. She's a fine big filly that will only thrive with another year under her belt as well. We just said to Chris today to throw the reins at her and ride her as you find her. To go out there and enjoy yourself, so to speak. He was able to switch her off, he thought they weren't going a gallop and he kicked on up the straight. She kind of pricked her ears a little bit so there is plenty left there. It's disappointing that Maurice (Regan) had to finish second but she's ran an absolute blinder as well and they are two fillies that we're very much looking forward to next year over that trip and further.
Ridhaz impresses under Whelan in 3Y0 Handicap
McMonagle's patience rewarded as Lady Kai wins finale
That was great. Shane Foley rode her work the other morning and felt she was in great nick, he had to go to Newmarket today, . This was the ideal race for her and she got a great ride. The plan was to be in the first four or five and going past the stands the first time she was third last. I thought 'were in trouble here' and was wondering if she wasn't handling the surface but he said they were just going too quick. He said there were a lot of horses in trouble half a mile out and she was only starting to get going. When she got upsides up the straight, she's really bred to stay being by Sea The Stars out of a mare who is related to Sir Percy. She has a great pedigree. It's lovely to win another one with her for her pedigree and Mick is delighted. He rang straight away. We might be able to squeeze another one out of her. I'm sure he's going to be covering her in the spring and she's a lovely filly to have. It all went wrong for her last year, she wasn't 100 percent and never happy in herself. She came back this year a far sweeter mare and has been very consistent in her last couple of runs. She was maybe a bit unlucky the last day in Navan.