Going - Yielding, Good to Yielding in places. Overcast
Total Look takes Navan’s opener
we bought him as a yearling to go juvenile hurdling in the long-term, so everything is after working out to plan: it doesn't often happen like that! He's a lovely horse going forward, has plenty of size and scope and should keep improving. He is a very athletic type of horse. He is ground versatile but I'd say that is beautiful ground for him and he will handle softer ground as well. He is still a very immature horse, but that leaves you plenty of improvement. I'd say Fairyhouse (in early December) is probably too soon but I wouldn't rule anything out. I don't really have many juveniles to run: obviously, Hello Neighbour is an exciting one as well.
Hogan’s homebred heroine slays expensive pointer
it took a long time to get Cast A Spell’s act together jumping: she got brought down one day schooling in Thurles and didn't forget it for a long time. The last day at Cork, she was actually heavily in season when she got her black-type and we didn't know until afterwards. We knew that she was a lot better mare than at Cork. She was faultless there today and she has the talent. She always runs with the handbrake a bit half-on, so there is a lot more there than she gives. I found those type of horses will always win plenty of races: she might not win every day, but will win more nice races. I only have a couple of horses so it is great to get a race like this, in a place like this, at a festival like this. We will keep an eye on other festivals now.
Inexperienced Love Me scores on handicap debut
she ran a nice race in Wexford and we hoped she had come on for it. She was good and Darragh gave her a great ride. I think the pace suited her and Darragh said she jumped brilliant. I thought she might have lacked a bit of experience, but maybe the gallop they went sort of suited her in the end. She could step up in trip with the way she hit the line and it is great to get it for the Fitzgeralds (owners).
Elliott enhances Monksfield record with Bective homebred
he's a nice horse and has always done everything well at home. I loved the way when he made the mistake at the second last, he (Kennedy) squeezed him and he let him back on to the bridle: I’d say he is a nice horse. I thought it was a good performance, he quickened away from them. He has a great attitude and a great way of racing, he is so laid-back. You'd imagine we would go to the Lawlor's now (Grade 1 at Naas in January).
Giant-killer Sequia gives Hackett a Sunday success
we are used to tipping away quietly on a Wednesday or a Thursday so come up here and do that, I really enjoyed it. Dad owns the horse and I'm delighted for him. It is hard to believe that this is his first win over hurdles. He is a cracking little horse although a clever man would stay on the Flat, wouldn't he! I just always thought there was a nice race in him over hurdles. I was a bit worried with the step up in trip and with the ground going (to yielding), but he saw it out well. He's so small and it just takes a while to get to know him: Liam (Quinlan) knows him inside out now. For a little horse, you'd think he’d be mad going down the inside in a big-field handicap, but he loves it! He thrives on that. He doesn't realise he is only 15hh - he thinks he is 17.1 or 17.2!. The horse is plucky, the jockey is plucky and when you have the two, it is a big help. We have only around 10 or 12 in training, we tip away and are very lucky to have Liam Quinlan, who does all the hard work. The bigger operations are getting bigger and the smaller lads are getting smaller but when you have one that is competitive, it is nice.
Elliott in seventh heaven with another Troytown winner
Eight for Elliott, as ‘Martin Pipe’ winner rules Supreme
we bought him off Warren Ewing (Constitution Hill’s producer) a couple of years ago and bought him to be a big chaser. He looks like a chaser but it has been a slow burner to where we are getting with these horses. Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) are massive supporters of Cullentra and they have invested a lot of money in racing. They are getting their dividends now. It takes time to get where we are and to get winners for them in Navan, their local track, is like a dream come true. I'm absolutely delighted for them and this is a special weekend. obviously, he is entered in the Drinmore - that might just come a bit too soon. We will look at something probably around Christmas. He is a Martin Pipe (Hurdle) winner and it is a race that good horses come out of.