Going - Soft to Heavy, heavy in places. Overcast and showery
Jackpot Pool - 3,605.26 Dividend - 1,348.60 Winning Units - 1.87. Placepot Pool - 29,071.85 Dividend - 347.50 Winning Units - 58.55. Days Aggregate - 301,306.11 Last Year 227,486.58
Bucanero Fuerte looks smart in opening 2yo maiden
Laugh A Minute repeats Curragh win in sprint handicap
He was 7lb lower than last year and he loves the ground, he won a listed race before on soft ground. Unfortunately we don't get a whole pile of soft ground anymore, as much as we'd like. He's a great horse and the boys have had great fun with him. He'll run in all the big sprint handicaps for the rest of the year and hopefully we get another one before the year is out. He ploughed through it and battled well, we'll tip away with him and see what happens. It's great to start off the year on a nice note.
Honey Girl gains deserved maiden win
Lattam strikes a blow for English trainers in the Irish Lincoln
. I thought I was going to get there too soon and I sat, then the gap was closing and I had to switch. It was a short-head away from a shocker but we won so I gave it a great ride!. I just wanted to make it exciting for the owners!
Insinuendo justifies favouritism in Park Express Stakes
We're delighted to win that. She was second in it last year, probably to a better mare. You're on a hiding to nothing if you get beat, Michael (Deegan, owner) was brave enough to hold on to her for another year so it's great to get started. I wouldn't say any horse loves that ground but she got her way through it. Billy said she did everything wrong, she was a bit strong under him and didn't settle. He clipped heels trying to get her to settle and she still was pulling. She got there and then she got a bit lazy in front, she's getting a bit cute. Onwards and upwards now. She's been Group 1 placed and we'll aim for all the Group 1s for the year and that will be it. The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a possible. We'll see what way the ground is but I can't see why not. It's only driving down the road as opposed to going foreign. Things just didn't work out for her in Bahrain, she got shuffled back. William Buick rode a great race in front on his horse and just got pipped, he slowed it all down. She was coming and coming but everything happened too quickly. She had loads of room today and she's a proper mare.
O'Brien doubles up with Shadowed
Razdan comes good to give Caffrey some compensation
I ran him in Dundalk earlier in the winter and I'm not sure if it's quickened up there or if he just prefers a bit of an ease at this stage of his life. I wasn't worried about the ground today it was more the trip being on the sharp side. I'm delighted. He was fresh and well at home and I wanted to get a run into him before Fairyhouse at Easter. He'll go to Fairyhouse and possibly Punchestown and then have a break and maybe come back for Galway then. I wouldn't mind a few more like him. He's been a bit unlucky, last year the ball didn't bounce right for him. He has loads of ability and he'll win again for sure.
Hayes completes 71/1 double aboard Queen's Pardon