Going - Soft to Heavy, heavy in places. Overcast and showery
Jackpot Pool - 1,117.74 Not Won. Carried forward to No Course. Placepot Pool - 19,931.64 Dividend - 96.20 Winning Units - 198.59. Days Aggregate - 208,313.00 (8 races). Last Year 211,209.01 (7 races).
Kala Conti collects on Irish debut
she's (Kala Conti) a nice filly. Jack said he could have gone around again, she would have done more at home. I'd imagine we'll probably look at the graded race in Fairyhouse in two weeks time and she'll have an entry at Newbury on the same weekend. The other horse (outsider Bravewhenineedtobe) was taking her on and you're always waiting for something to go wrong in those races but it was pretty straight-forward and she did it well.
De Bromhead's mare continues Robcour's roll
she came well recommended for her point-to-point but last year she was just a bit immature still and had a couple of little issues. She'd been working really well and we thought she was nice. It's not easy to make the running around there and it looked a nice race. She hasn't run for a long time so hopefully she'll keep improving as well. She jumped a bit right but otherwise she was really good. We've got her started and now we can look at the next level. I'd say she'll get further but she looked good over that trip. She gallops and jumps. Maybe something like the Solerina (Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in late January) but we'll see what everyone wants to do and enjoy today.
Meath footballer Monaghan rides first winner
Croke Park leads 1-2-3-4 for Elliott in Monksfield Hurdle
he's a lovely horse, Jack said he probably wants three miles in time. He said he didn't do a whole lot when he got there but did it well and jumped well. We probably don't have to go three miles just yet. He's a big horse and he's had two runs now, so I might even keep him for (the January Grade 1 in) Naas. I don't want to go to the well too much, I think he is a nice horse.
Dorking Cock has Welsh National plan
I've always thought a bit of him. We bought him as a hunter chaser but nothing ever worked out. The day I bought him in Doncaster I thought he was a horse for either a Welsh National or a Foxhunters. Due to covid he was late to get going and after running so well so well at Down Royal on Boxing Day - when narrowly touched off by Vaucelet, I set my stall out to go to Cheltenham but he wasn't the same horse last spring. He's back to his normal self again and for the age of him (nine-year-old) he's not overly raced. The hunter chase scene at the moment is very hot and I thought he was well treated for a handicap. I have him in the Welsh National and I'd say we'll probably try and aim for that. He has jumped well around the (Aintree) national fences but he'd need a wet spring and to climb up in the weights to get into a National. He's a far better jumper of a fence than a hurdle but it's good to get on the winning groove today.
'Thank God we won!' - Elliott triumphs in the Troytown
Coko Beach is a great horse who is a bit of a boyo at home, is a character and we're lucky to have him. He's been knocking on the door in all those races so he deserved to win one. Jack (Kennedy, stable jockey) wanted to ride him but I wanted to claim and thank God I did - Danny is a great little rider and it's a valuable 5lb. I thought it was a good race to watch, it was helter-skelter, they went a good gallop and all horses seemed to be home safe. We'll probably head for a National with him and he could also go for the Thyestes. He has also schooled over cross-country and we won't rule that out either.
Elliott completes four-timer with promising chaser
I was delighted with American Mike. In fairness to Jack (Kennedy) he's put a lot of work into this horse and has been schooling him every day himself. He's even been changing the bit and doing different things with him. He finished his race out today which is the first time he's done it since he was a bumper horse. I got deflated with him over hurdles as he never finished out one. I think he might have bled one day and it took him a long time to get over it. He looked good today and hopefully he can keep going forward. He could maybe go to Limerick (for a Grade 1 race) at Christmas. I'm absolutely thrilled as that one meant as much as all the rest because Noel and Valerie (Moran, owners) are from Navan and are massive supporters of mine. That was extra special for me. They are good friends, we hit the crossbar with a few yesterday and they deserved every bit of luck they get with what they are putting into horseracing and into Meath football. They are just brilliant people and for them to have a winner today meant a lot.
Only By Night wins Navan's finale
that was great, I'm delighted with that. She's a lovely mare and she ploughs through that ground. I'd say we'll probably stay in bumpers with her this season but I'll have a chat with the owners. She's a lovely mare and has a great temperament. She'll go on any ground, she's very straight-forward.