Going - Heavy. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €18,789.00 Dividend - €122.50 Winning Units - 115. Placepot Pool - €26,131.80 Dividend - €5.60 Winning Units - 3465. Pick Six Pool - €9,688.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Leopardstown on Sunday 23rd January. Days Aggregate - €108,110.00 Last Year €79,899.00
Bayross shocks at 33/1, again!
I was quite confident over today's two and a half miles and that heavy ground helped make a difference too. he has a lovely pedigree and was a nice bit of value for €8,800 at the 2009 Derby Sale as he has a lovely pedigree. He has plenty of novice options in Ireland now and if they prove ‘above' him, he can travel to Britain.
Salley completes five-timer
Our Girl Salley didn't pick up quite as well as she did the last day but I don't think Barry was too hard on her. Whether today's ground was her ground I'm not sure. We'll move forward now and will aim her at another mares hurdle here in mid-February while she will be entered in the novice hurdles and the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jim registers hat-trick
I thought the leading pair would come back to me but they kept at it well and Drive On Jim had to really grind it out to win. He will go back chasing now.
Golden Silver wins Normans Grove Chase
only Golden Silver's rating got him through that. He looked in trouble before the straight and Paul said he wasn't enjoying the ground which is very sticky. He is not a horse to ‘chase' one in front either. he'll run next in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown in a few weeks time where he'll be joined by J'y Vole and Scotsirish too. He'll be entered in the Ryanair Chase and Champion Chase at Cheltenham but is more likely to run in the ‘Ryanair' as he is about 10lbs short of the standard for the Champion Chase.
Sam scores for Nolan & Russell
I was a bit worried that the trip was too short but his jumping was brilliant. This time last year I didn't think it would take him this long to win a beginners' chase though!
Russell & Gigginstown double up
he was jumping so well that Davy left him get on with it in front . he wandered a little before the final fence but was never going to get beaten. We'll go for another handicap again next.
Lovethehigherlaw completes Gigginstown treble
Lovethehigherlaw did today what he had been showing me at home and I'm very happy with him as he looks a fair sort. I don't want to bring him to Cheltenham and would prefer to think about the longterm picture but will talk to his owners before making a decision. I would prefer instead to run in the Grade 1 bumper Punchestown and possibly take in a winners' bumper before then.
