Going - Hurdle/Bumper: Soft. Chase: Soft to heavy. Overcast
Familiar sight at Listowel as Stormbreaker lands opening maiden
I thought Paul was on the right horse but having looked at the finish, I think Brian (Hayes, on Mr Escobar) was a little unlucky. The third-horse (Boston Beach) came and softened Mr Escobar up turning-for-home and more so, Mr Escobar is a tough ride and having no rail today and only 'island' hurdles was a big disadvantage to him. I think he might have prevailed if there was a rail the whole way up the straight but Brian couldn't really let him down as he was afraid that he might run out. Stormbreaker has had niggles, not much, and we're only teaching him how to settle now. Mr Escobar could go back on the flat.
Frankendael lands Listowel Listed hurdle for in-form McNamara
That was magic and he is a lovely lovely horse who has improved all the time since we got him. I thought he won his maiden hurdle very nicely at Ballinrobe and when we were entering for this, I thought it was a longshot although top weight Daddy Long Legs came out, so we snuck in at the bottom. He is a particularly good jumper, loves soft ground and has won a beautiful pot for fantastic owners. The syndicate is headed by Vincent Casey, they are very loyal and fantastic people. They love Listowel so will enjoy this moment.
McNamara adds to headliner-haul at Listowel
I really fancied this horse as his work at home has been exceptional. We bought him during the summer from Emma Lavelle's, left him off for a while and in the last few weeks his work had been really really good. I'd have been disappointed if he had been beaten. I told Sean to ride him with full confidence although he is such an experienced rider there wasn't much point in Eric McNamara telling Sean Flanagan how to ride in a handicap hurdle. I love this place, know a lot of people here and have friends here, so I'm getting a good kick out of this week.
West Clare opens his account under Richie Deegan
He didn't come down the hill at Galway and while he flew home, took too long to get rolling. We probably left a few quid behind us that day but it doesn't matter now. He is a seven-year-old but is getting sharper and the penny is starting to drop with him. He is a nice actioned horse so I was worried about the ground and hopefully he will go on from here. His owner Tomas O'Doherty owns the Own Pride Pub in west Clare so we'll be stopping there on the way home!
Cahirdown Boy brings up McNamara Listowel treble
The whole secret to Cahirdown Boy is to throw the reins at him, as it makes him settle: if you grab any hold of him, he will arrive at the second-last fence but his race will have been run. Once you throw the reins at him, he will settle. Sean did a marvellous job and while we weren't going to lead with (front-runner) Kilashee in the race, as long as the horse was relaxed he was going to come home well. That is why I wanted Sean to ride him. Sean Curran is a wonderful owner from Spiddle and has had three Kerry National winners for me. We go back a long way and while unfortunately he wasn't able to come today, his son Sean is here and will be more than happy to collect the trophy. Gaelic Des Chastys really loves quick ground but got away with it today.
Amen Kate makes impressive winning debut for Tom Cooper
Today was the plan and her mother won the same race. She was in training last year and was hard work but we were very happy with the way she reacted today. She is a very racey mare and did a bit of work up the Vic (Old Vic gallop at the Curragh) over a week ago and it was awesome. She is proper and is green as well, as she is inclined to lug a little right. She always does that but when he (Mullins) let her down, she was straight as a gun barrel. I thought she was very cheap and begged Ciaran (Mooney, owner) to go the extra few bob for her as I thought she was a bargain (at €75,000). We'll keep her in bumpers this season and she has started off in the right direction.
