Going - Soft (Hurdle), Soft to Heavy (Chase). Raining
Jackpot Pool - 8,766.99 Dividend - 6,137.40 Winning Units - 1. Placepot Pool - 64,901.67 Dividend - 164.00 Winning Units - 276.93. Pick Six Pool - 8,845.70 Not Won. Carried forward to Thurles on Thursday 26th February. Days Aggregate - 221,825.00 Last Year 213,478.00
Arctic Skipper takes opener at Naas
he's improved from the last day which he probably just needed after nine months off. He had a splint problem after his bumper run. He's a big horse, just shy of 17.2 hands and is a chaser who will go over fences next season; that'll be his game. He could go for a novice hurdle but we'll see how he comes out of this and, being a big horse, he wouldn't want the ground too quick.
Cullen registers first winner from new facility
she deserved it in fairness to her as she was second on her last three runs and it's also nice to get a nice pot (E11,730 to the winner). She'd a low weight and Andrew gave her a lovely ride. I was a bit afraid that it was too soon just two weeks after her run the last day. I'll aim her at races with good prize money where she will have a low weight.
Dempsey delivers for Gigginstown in feature
Lean Araig lands unlikely treble in Grade 2
I'm happy with that and it was a bit of a battle. I think I've learned from that race that he really needs a lead!. But despite that he's won and he's tough. Everyone knew he's a good three-mile horse, and he's bred that way too but I always felt that two miles was a bit short for him. He has options in novice races now though and all being well he'll go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
Mallowney gives trainer Doyle a first G2 win
I was hoping he'd do that, and it was very similar to the way he won the Dan Moore. Davy thinks he's getting more relaxed. We'll stick to our plan, and he'll probably go to Fairyhouse for the Normans Grove and Punchestown (Champion Chase) after that. He's relaxing earlier in his races and Davy seems to have the key to him. He's four wins from four races around here, and that's his first Grade 2 win.
Miss Xian causes 16/1 upset for Flood/Enright
it turned into a staying race, and her jumping held up well. She's been knocking on the door, and was a bit unlucky to fall at the last at Navan last time when she would have finished third or fourth. She loves the trip (three miles); other days she can be flat out early but she travelled better today.
Gigginstown double up in two-runner bumper
we think he's very nice, and he's a big exciting horse to go jumping hurdles with. That's him (finished) now for this season, and he'll have a nice break. He's a giant but is not slow and has plenty of speed for his size.