Going - Hurdle/Bumper: Soft. Chase: Soft to Heavy. Overcast with showers
Jackpot Pool - 667.61 Dividend - 467.33 Winning Units - .09. Partial Carry Over of 425.27 to Curragh on Sunday 29th September. Placepot Pool - 17,698.83 Dividend - 106.20 Winning Units - 111.62. Days Aggregate - 228,105.32 (7 races). Last Year 273,202.00 (8 races).
Thy Kingdom come, at 250-1!
this has got me out of a big hole and a few locals backed him. This week only three of our runners hadn't finished in the first six so that was good, although for us, it is the one week where that isn't enough. It is all about winners here so I'll take this. I'm delighted as he had been making a fool out of me last year and is a lovely horse going forward and I think he will improve. We thought he was a bumper horse last year but he was running too keen and was petering out at the back-end of his races. The last day in Tramore, Philip Enright got him to relax, to breathe and do everything right but he thought mentally he was still childish. Richie (Deegan) got him to settle early on in today's race, crept into it although the race fell apart in front of him.
Mullins registers fifth win at Listowel's festival
He didn't get home in Galway but went to the start very fresh and we thought he was a much better horse than that. He won nicely in Killarney though and today beat Willie's other horse who is no slouch. I was happy that I was able to get a few lengths away from the others and his jumping was making ground, rather than me using petrol to do it. That is always a help when it comes to the business end and it was a good performance.
Champella another Listowel winner for O'Sullivan & Harney
I thought she got a great ride and Tom is riding with lots of confidence,. The plan was to ride her third, fourth or fifth but he popped off and, next thing, was in front but he rode her with loads of confidence and she jumped great. She was as happy as Larry throughout the race and has now won in Galway and Listowel, so you couldn't ask for better. She has done no wrong, has won five races and will probably be covered in the spring time. We'll space out her runs, keep going until the spring and her owners would love to get black type with her.
The Nagger Reidy strikes on handicap debut
Donacheady Gale lands final day feature at Listowel
When Robbie Power won a maiden hurdle on this horse, he said 'John, I've ridden a lot of good horses and this is as nice a horse as I've ever ridden' but unfortunately I've had to bring him back following a lot of injuries. When he won his bumper he didn't just beat good horses, he hammered them, so I knew he was worth bringing back. He was always a top class horse. I hope the handicapper isn't too hard on him and if he gets into the Munster National, he'll go there.
First winner under Rules for Tralee man Ross Sugrue
I gave Ross his first point-to-point winner a few years ago and that day, was standing next to his Dad, who I didn't know. When he asked how he'd run, I told him 'he'll win if he stands up but is a terribly bad jumper', so when he told me who he was, I said 'oh holy Jesus'!. I was able to say he was going out on a good jumper today and it was great. Tom Doran is a huge supporter and this has been a super horse for us. Fidelma (Elvin) normally rides for us but is out with an injury but I knew when Ross was available that his 7lb claim was invaluable, so was very happy to have him.
Flynn predicts bright future for dual bumper winner
I was kicking myself after Ballinrobe as I gave him a break after his first win and while I'm not knocking the Ballinrobe winner, he blew up as I hadn't him fit enough,. He is a very very good horse, is an incredible jumper and reminds me of French Ballerina. I was going to go point-to-pointing as he jumps chase fences but decided not and I'm delighted he went on the soft ground today. . The ideal thing would be sell him to stay in the yard and if anybody wants a good horse, that's a good horse. I couldn't believe it when I bought him at the sales as the people who sold him were disappointed with his price (€22,000) on the day. I loved the horse and said I had to buy him, and that's it. He is only four and there won't be any saddle on his back now for about four months. I'm not saying anything for definite but the Cheltenham Bumper might be a possibility although that would be the only other bumper he might run in.