Going - Good to yielding. Overcast
Placepot Pool - €9,133.47 Dividend - €190.14 Winning Units - 52.84. Days Aggregate - €142,373.77 Last Year €111,495.00
Party Central wins cosily on hurdling debut
It was a nice performance, Davy said there is plenty improvement in her and she'll come on a lot from it. We knew she was just ready to start off. Looking at her today, she enjoyed that 2m4f but she could come back too. She is having a proper blow but is highly-strung and I wouldn't have galloped her much at home. I want to keep the lid on her and she might now go for a Graded novice hurdle at Down Royal in November.
I A Connect completes quick double for Elliott
Two miles is as short as he wants and he jumped very well. I'll try and find a little novice or winners' of one for him next. He disappointed us in bumpers and the way he went there, he probably doesn't want winter ground. It was a great pot to win for the owners (the McNeill family) who have nice horses in the yard, so it is brilliant for them.
McAlpine makes the breakthrough at 20/1
I was expecting him to run well but thought he might have needed it because he hasn't ran since May. We had a little job done with him in May and it seems to have worked. He had been working well at home and we were very happy with him although he is a horse who carries a little bit of condition so can be deceiving. Oliver (Barden, owner) actually mentioned to me today that he was looking on the heavier side but I was happy with him. He is quite gross and always carries a bit of condition. He has been hugely disappointing and has been second and placed I don't know how many times. He was always beaten by good horses on the day.
Festival winner for Flavin with well-backed Clarens
in Kilbeggan the last day, he missed the first two hurdles big-time and was off it the whole way. I thought he'd have a bit of a chance the last day and don't know why he drifted back out, it was the funniest thing I have ever seen and it made no sense to me. I said to Jack (Foley) to put a line through that run and to ride him good and positive today. He jumped really well and Jack went for the gap on the inner turning in and he was happy. It is very hard when you're coming back off a bad run but I was hopeful today.
In-form Harrington lands Listowel's Lartigue Hurdle
we gave him a nice good break after February and he strengthened up. He had a run back at Tramore and was meant to run at Gowran two weeks ago but didn't run as the ground was too quick for him. We hoped we had him fit enough for today but he has been really good and two miles will probably be his minimum. We could step him back up to 2m4f throughout the season and I think he'll be competitive in those handicaps. We'll also go back and try and win one on the flat before the flat season is out. It is great for Joe (O'Flaherty) who is a great supporter and it is also lovely to win the Liam Healy Memorial Race. We have very fond memories of him so it is a privilege to win his race.
Cooper keeps rivals at arm's length on Nolan's mare
The last day she was a bit free so we used different tactics and jumped her off but he actually had to shake her to get to the front. She is funny that way. She will jump a fence and is from a lovely family who we had ourselves. I'm hoping she will be better with a fence in front of her and we might go chasing sooner rather than later. Hopefully this makes up for Phil's mare (Byrne, owner of withdrawn coughing Jeremys Jewel) in the first race. He is trying to get into a nice band of broodmares and I wouldn't rule out looking for black-type with her in a handicap in the future. I'm a bit down in numbers on this time last year but there is a better quality. We've bought a few very nice horses for very good owners and hopefully to God they are lucky with some of them.
Bleu Berry off the mark over fences
Going back in trip wasn't any harm to him and he jumped well. We'll try and find something between two miles and 2m4f now. I don't think he is trip-dependant but he jumps well enough to go at the minimum trip. We're in no rush and will look for another race next month.
Esperti shows his true colours in the bumper
He did it nicely, his first run was very good and the form worked out really well but he ran very flat when we fancied him in Galway. He came back to form today and ran a cracker. Derek rode him with loads of confidence, he dropped him in and got him switched off. He has schooled, done loads and is ready to rock n' roll on but whether or not we go for a winners' bumper or not, I'll speak to the owners (Direct Bloodstock) and make a plan.
