Going - Heavy. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €10,000.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Wolverhampton on Monday 18th January. Placepot Pool - €37,087.37 Dividend - €77.40 Winning Units - 334.87. Quadpot Pool - €3,417.82 Dividend - €24.10 Winning Units - 104.66. Days Aggregate - €195,173.00 Last Year €173,701.00
Envoi Allen maintains unbeaten record
it’s a bit of an anti climax when the other horse went at the first. Jack said he went around in second gear with his ears pricked. When he asked him to quicken going to the last he did. He got a bit under the last and he quickened again. He didn’t mind the ground and he didn’t do anything wrong. I think he’d be better with a lead as he’s idle but he had to do his own donkey work. He’s in everything at Leopardstown for fear something happened (with travelling) in Cheltenham but I’d say we will go straight to Cheltenham.
Dreal Deal completes six-timer
his preparation wasn't ideal and that's maybe why the horse drifted; we did fancy him but my horses weren't 100% over Christmas and had a week off. We also had frost at home and missed valuable work and took him to the beach on Sunday but it was half-frozen so he hasn't really galloped. He hasn't been eating as well as he can either and his coat hasn't been great; Denis also thought he needed the run. he won’t be going to the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown and will probably go to Cheltenham now. I think he’s entitled to go there now. If we have to go for a lesser race in between we will do that and if not, it will be straight to Cheltenham. He will probably go for the Supreme but will be entered in the Ballymore as well. That was the dream but he had to go and do that today. He’s done it now so we can dream!
Navan eye-catcher wins for Mullins & Hayes
he choked the last day and the tongue tie made a big difference to him today. Better ground would suit him well as he progresses through his career and he’d have no problem going back up in trip. Paul was sore after his fall yesterday and I said to him this morning that I’d prefer he’d rest rather than come here today especially with the first two races being Graded ones. There is important races coming up and I’m hoping he’ll be back next weekend. I didn’t put him on anything tomorrow or Tuesday.
Blackmore closes Championship gap
the form of her third at Clonmel the last day has worked out well. Going up in trip is suiting her as well and she’ll have to go up a bit in grade now. I think as we go into the spring, drier ground will suit her and she might be able to win a nice handicap at one of the spring Festivals.
Owl Creek Bridge lands gamble in dramatic chase
there was plenty of drama going on the whole way, and he had to make his own running after nearly half the field were taken out at the one after the stands. He jumped electric and it’s good to get a beginners. He didn’t beat a whole pile but a win is a win. He is owned by Patrick Mullen and Brian Collins who are good supporters of my father.
In-form Goingwel gains second win
they crawled early and I had to ride him handier than ideal. Turning into the straight I thought it was going to turn into a bit of sprint so I sent him on. He started pulling himself up in front but when the horse came to him he went on again. He was a bit of a slow learner. Hopefully he’s starting to get a bit of confidence now after a couple of wins.
Atlantic Shore wins Punchestown's finale
he’ll probably come back here for the National Trial next month. Whether he’s good enough for that is another thing but he’s a grand horse. He’s a big slow horse and that ground plays to his strengths.
