Going - Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places. Fine
Jackpot Pool - €5,775.94 Dividend - €4,043.30 Winning Units - .12. Partial Carry Over of €5,131.25 to Fairyhouse on Wednesday 8th February. Placepot Pool - €103,330.09 Dividend - €1,129.50 Winning Units - 64.04. Days Aggregate - €623,277.79 Last Year €489,365.84
McManus second string runs Belter to win Mares Hurdle
I'm very pleased. She won her bumper here, in similar fashion,. It was probably about two furlongs too short for her but I thought the good gallop would help us. It was a big ask and I was afraid that Frank (Berry) was going to kill me for entering her in it. I knew 2lb was all about we could get away with running out of the handicap. She jumps very well now. When she started she was very awkward over her hurdles on her first couple of runs. She was very slow, a bit right and left. It came together on her last couple of runs. It's hard race to win, I said to Simon that she wanted a couple of furlongs further and if she was travelling well turning in to kick and go because she'll stay on really well to the line. She pinged the last and I'm thrilled.
Russell just Mighty in Grade 1 win aboard Potter
He jumped so well, I was happy to go on after jumping the second last. There are only so many times you can disappoint a horse when he is traveling that easy. He's a good horse and we've got a few nice novice chasers. Jack (Kennedy) was full of confidence after the last day. We watched the race together and he was happy that Davy let him roll on when he did. The further he goes he drops his head, gets low, and gallops. I was a bit nervous. I thought we'd win the first but we were a bit unlucky, got a bit far back. A few of our big shots yesterday didn't run and he was kind of our first real one that had to win. He's settling better now, before he was keen. I love that when he gets to the front he spits it out and from the last to the line he drops his head and gallops. The Turners is definitely where he's going and hopefully this man beside me (Kennedy) gets the okay to be back riding him. If he doesn't Davy is there but we're hoping this man is back.
Gentleman De Mee Lords it over Dublin Chase rivals
It was a surprise but you only have to look back to Aintree last year. He settled much better today, so I had a bit of petrol for the finish. He has a serious engine. He sat on Dunvegan's girth early on, didn't tear away as he can often do. On this performance he deserves a crack at the Champion Chase.
The Goffer gives Russell Dublin Racing Festival double
That was fantastic. He jumped from fence to fence., said Russell.Gordon really fancied him if he came back to his best. I kept asking him(for big jumps) and he kept responding. It's easy when horses do that for you. We thought he had a chance on the drying ground. He probably wants a bit further but he jumped great and galloped the whole way to the line. We're very happy. Davy was great on him. I told him to go out and take every chance, don't leave the paint. In those big handicaps that's what you have to do. We'll look at all those long distance races and he could be an Irish National horse.
State Man proves too strong for Honeysuckle in Irish Champion Hurdle
It wasn't the ideal situation(making the running), so it was a nice performance to come out and do that. Paul surprised me when he came into the parade ring and I asked him what he was going to do and he said he was going to make it,. He didn't see much to make it in the race so I said 'okay, do that'. It worked out, the horse is not used to being in front but he jumped well enough in front and Paul thought he was a bit idle in front as well. He did everything right and you couldn't ask anymore.
Il Etait Temps causes 14/1 upset as Facile Vega disappoints
He is a decent horse in a truly run affair., . We went a strong gallop and I couldn't go with them. I was always happy where I was throughout the race. He made lengths at every hurdle and if anything, I got there a bit too early.
Gaelic Warrior far too classy for rivals in Liffey Handicap Hurdle
I tried to keep it simple., said Townend.We didn't learn a whole lot from the two wins this season but the engine is certainly there. He tended to jump to his right again today though. He has a bit of class and he proved it there, to do that in a competitive handicap was very good. Paul tried to get a nice position on the inside and then find a bit of room after the second last. The horse had plenty in reserve. We always thought he had a serious engine and he's progressing all the time. He's in the Supreme and Ballymore, I'll have a good chat with Paul later on and see what direction we go with him. We'll see what the fall out of this weekend is and see what we have for different races. He's inclined to go right but that seems to be only when he has the space to do that. He was very good even when he went right. Paul could see he wanted to go right two strides out and let him, kept it simple rather than fighting him and putting him on the ground. I think he's alright in company when there is something around him. He looked like a horse that's still maturing and improving. He looked like a horse that could be a really nice novice chaser as well. We'll see how he finishes out the season, obviously there is Cheltenham and Punchestown to come yet. He was relaxed enough to pick grass there and he wanted to get down for a roll here in the winners' enclosure which I've never seen a horse do before. He's his own boss.
All Fun Fun Fun for Mullins in bumper rout
It was a very impressive performance because she had a break since her last run and I didn't think she had enough done. She looked like she had blown up coming out of the back stretch and she looked in trouble about three furlongs out. Patrick said when he pulled her to the outside she got her second wind and she just took off. She looks to be a serious mare. She's entitled to go anywhere she wants now. Do you go to Cheltenham or to the mares bumper in Aintree?
