Going - Good to Yielding, Yielding in places; Yielding after Race 7. Overcast, showers
Jackpot Pool - €903.23 Dividend - €86.20 Winning Units - 7.33. Placepot Pool - €38,173.81 Dividend - €12.60 Winning Units - 2109.78. Days Aggregate - €233,472.06 Last Year €204,040.00
Stattler battles to take Grade 3 opener at Naas
I was hoping he’d jump better. He was a bit novicey but I suppose it was a big step up in class from his first win (over fences) and it told there. He’ll learn a lot and with the way he jumped he needed the three miles and will probably have no trouble going further. It was a fight the whole way up the straight and he only asserted in the last 100 yards but I’m happy he did that. I’d imagine that will probably put him into the National Hunt Chase in Cheltenham. A longer trip going a bit steadier will suit him.
Handsworth hangs on in another tight finish
Darasso downs Felicien in Limestone Lad Hurdle
Work another nice prospect for Paul Fahey
He’d a lovely run at Christmas. He’d never had a schooling race and was very green. We were hoping he’d reproduce that and he did. Hopefully there is a nice bit of improvement to come with him. It’s very good for Charles (O’Reilly), a homebred winner so it’s sweet. We’ll probably find a winners-of-one for him. He’s only a four-year-old so we won’t be hard on him and he could improve for next year.
Nice Guy makes it three from three on hurdling debut
He jumped well and stayed well and Paul said he’d be happier to go further. He jumps and gallops. I’d imagine we’ll be looking at the Albert Bartlett but we’ll see what connections want to do. Ramillies ran a terrific race and I think he probably needed that run. He’s a big, round horse and I couldn’t have done any more with him at home. That should bring him on hugely.
Ewing bags another jumps winner on Bigz
Sam is a great young lad and he’s ridden a few for us on the Flat as well.
Bistro a landmark winner for both Patrick and Willie Mullins
I think Patrick said that’s officially my first winner as a breeder. He’s a big green horse and he’s green at home. I was very impressed with that performance and he can go wherever he wants after that. I’d imagine he’ll get a ticket for March in Cheltenham. He’s a lovely big horse that will jump fences and is related to Killultagh Vic.
