Going - Good, good to yielding in places (Yielding to Soft at R3). Overcast and showery
Jackpot Pool - 5,803.57 Dividend - 262.20 Winning Units - 15.49. Placepot Pool - 38,555.54 Dividend - 74.50 Winning Units - 361.84. Days Aggregate - 483,882.54 Last Year 477,322.27
A bit of experience stands to Hazdann
He did it nicely. He just got no run in Gowran, but he came home very well that day. He's progressed well for the race, worked very well the other morning and I thought he'd represent us very well. That's what he did. I said to Chris that he would have learned a lot from Gowran, that he had a good draw and to use his experience. He's a lovely colt, a very genuine colt. Obviously, we'll look at a Stakes race with him next. We'll hasten slowly with him. You'll find he continues to progress as the year goes on. He's from the Harzand family so there is a nice bit of toughness there as well. It's a very important winner with the Princess here to see it.
Apricot Ice making hay over six furlongs
You can see by the size of her she's still on the leg. We ran her in a Listed race at Leopardstown last year, that's what we thought of her. She's only going to get better with age. She's turned a wee corner there, she won her maiden and she's backed it up today. I'd say we only got away with it on the ground. She's all about top of the ground and, if the race was in two races time, I'd say we would have been in trouble. Colin still maintains that she'll get seven, but we'll keep doing this with the hope that she improves as a four-year-old. Obviously, the aim is that they grow into black-type fillies and I'd say that will happen at four.
Conditions suit Truly Enchanting well
We thought she was a five/six furlong filly who would handle an ease in the ground. Ryan gave her a great ride, she was very green. Conditions suited her. She took the race in Ascot very well. She was just a bit green and babyish in the Queen Mary (unplaced). It was kind of a last-minute decision to go five with her. Because she had won at Tipperary we said we'd chance (it), but when she ran at Tipperary it was soft ground so she found it a big change on the fast ground. Ryan gave her a great ride, she's tough and hardy and we're delighted with her. He didn't go until he really had to and he kept cajoling her, he didn't want to get into a bumping match with her. He said to change the bit. She's very straightforward at home, but I suppose she was coming up there on the stands' rail by herself. She runs in a happy bit, a very soft bit, and it's as soft as you can put on them. He said to put a ring bit in her, it'll help to keep her straight as it keeps the bit very balanced in their mouth. She's not really able to catch hold of it when there is a ring on it. Some of them are running well, but he horses in the first were a bit disappointing. They found the soft ground a big change and we probably didn't have them prepared for soft ground. We were hoping to come here for fast ground and the preparation is usually a bit different when it's soft and we were probably a bit gentle on them. They'll probably improve a lot. This filly had the two runs and obviously won on soft ground fi
Jan Brueghel seals double for O'Brien and Moore
Ryan savours 'home' Group One on Bluestocking
She had to dig deep with me and I though Kieran (Shoemark on Emily Upjohn) had gone on me. We hadn't gone overly quick and my plan was to take a lead off one. I didn't think I would get shuffled back that far but, by God, she's tough. I knew when I had hit the hill in the last furlong I'd be doing my best work. I'm so delighted really for everyone at home in Kimpton - they are the unsung heroes. Eric who looks after him is not here today, but he definitely deserves it. The last time she was here she got to the front and just idled. I think that was just a bit of immaturity so they (cheekpieces) were put on on Champions Day and the last day. I think we all felt the last day when she was so impressive (that) she didn't need them. I don't think she did. She's a big mare and I'd say really and truly as a three-year-old she just needed a bit of time. She's reaping the rewards now and it is brilliant. It was great. Rossa had an inkling that Emily Upjohn might go forward at some point. In a way it helped us, in a way it was tough for her to run down, but it gave us something to aim at. It's great to get it done. Last Irish Oaks Day will live long in the memory for the wrong reasons, but it doesn't matter now.
Red-letter day for Carter aboard Set Point
Galen a very taking winner at Headquarters
We're really happy with him. We've always thought the world of him, he had a setback after this run here last year and he ran a good race here on his comeback and he came forward since then. I don't think they are his conditions, but I'm delighted that he won well and you have to say he was very impressive. I'm delighted for the owners Ger Fitzgerald, Paul Redmond and Barry Fowler. They had to be patient with this guy and hopefully the patience will be rewarded between now and the end of the season.
Arnaman up and running for Condon
There was only a few runners and the way the spread out Billy just went for the better strip of ground,. He had his first run in Dundalk and we found the same as the previous connections, that top of the ground would suit him best. We're happy to get that done. Billy picked the best of the ground, he mightn't have been in love with it but got the job done. It was workmanlike but he showed a bit of resolution. Billy said he'd be better with a lead as well. It was only his second start and we're delighted that he did that in the new colours. Ultimately, he'll join Robert Siong's team in Hong Kong - that's what he was bought for. They don't usually export horses until sort of August-time so whether he runs in the meantime, they'll talk among themselves and see what they want to do. Billy said seven on top of the ground would be as far he'd like to go and if he was to run on that ground again six would be far enough.