Going - Straight: good to firm in places. Round: good, good to firm in places. Overcast
Placepot Pool - 13,212.22 Dividend - 71.00 Winning Units - 129.52. Quadpot Pool - 2,746.96 Dividend - 29.80 Winning Units - 68.04. Days Aggregate - 109,153.00 Last Year
Strapped is another for Bolger & Manning
Nothing left to chance as Dreams shows his ability
We had a bit of a trust breakdown after he disappointed us at Dundalk as he had been working well. He misbehaved right from the get-go and in the preliminaries was very coltish. He was gelded in the interim, we fitted blinkers and didn't leave anything to chance and won the way he has been working. He has a bit of ability, I don't know where we go next but he'll get an extra furlong for sure. Bill was happy with him and said any time he gave him a crack he went on about his business.
Measure shows Magic turn of foot in the Polonia
The plan was to come here after Navan and she came out of the race very well and I was very happy with her. Jamie who rides her out every morning said she was better today and has really come forward. It was over in two strides. I entered her for the Commonwealth Cup (at Royal Ascot) and I think we'll give her a go now and go straight there. She has done enough here, it's a big race and Ben said she has really learned how to sprint. She has definitely strengthened up over the winter and has improved a bit. She was always quick and is now doing it right, settling and using that speed at the end. The syndicate is my own - I bought a couple of yearlings two years ago and was left with them myself. There hasn't been any interest (in buying her) yet but we are sellers!
Chester/Mallow double for Weld as 'Graig' men dominate
We had a wide draw so it worked out well and we got a lovely toe into the race. I could have held on to him a little longer but had no other choice and in fairness he put the race to bed. It was my first time riding him and I'm very grateful to Mr Weld for giving me the opportunity. He had a light weight and Oisin Orr and Colin Keane usually ride for Mr Weld, so I was very lucky to get the opportunity.
Jm Barrie makes the breakthrough on 19th start
I thought he was a little unlucky the last day and I thought he was unlucky there too if he didn't get it (in the photo-finish). I think he'll improve another bit, he wants fast ground and he'll go for something similar again next. His owners are a group in Dubai including (publican) Denis McGettigan and they're watching in - they'll have a drink tonight.
Hale Bopp shines brightest under Ewing
He was having his first run in a handicap. He has done well from the winter into the spring and now into the summer he has really filled out well. We were a little worried about the ground drying out - he wants good ground but being a big horse, didn't want it good to firm. Sam said he hit the ridges through inexperience but won going away and we'll see what the handicapper does. He'll learn a lot form that, we'll take baby steps and it's a good start.
Double for Lee as Castletownbere just prevails
He is the first horse I've trained for Louis Walshe, a lovely man who bred him and he is a very nice horse to get. He is well bred, I'm thrilled and was hoping he'd run a very good race - ours don't always win on debut. We had a bit of a line on Hms Seahorse through our Limerick winner (Corps Des Pages) who was third to him (at Leopardstown) and he would have been unlucky to lose. He is very straightforward, uncomplicated and I haven't thought past today. He is a versatile horse ground-wise.