Going - Hurdle: Good to yielding. Chase: Yielding, yielding to soft in places. Overcast with showers
Distress signals were out but Damsel lands the prize
Coming to the last I was delighted as she was going to finish a good second to a nice horse, so I couldn't believe it and I'm delighted. It was bad luck on the one who fell but you have to be there. She loves jumping, has got the hang of it now and needs it soft as she isn't the easiest to keep in one piece. My niece Heidi has done wonders in nursing her along and it is more minding her than training her. They are a clean-winded family though so you get away with it. Her mother was good and got a Racing Post rating of 95. It is a funny family as it is completely uncommercial but there is speed and stamina in it. It is a winning family but just isn't a fancy commercial one. Her sister is running tomorrow in a mile race, just to confuse you.
McNamara maintains perfect record since memorable Listowel
Say It So has plenty ability on his day but it is just getting him right, and today he travelled in snatches with me. Down the back straight, I had to get after him and gave him a slap down the shoulder but to be fair, I was going well turning in and knew if I got a good jump at the third-last, which I did, that I was going to get there. I have to thank Eric as I had my first winner over jumps at Listowel last Thursday, so I'm very grateful.
Cromwell's front-runner leaves rivals Gasping
Success for Sid at Killarney
I wouldn't say it was a surprise as he is a nice horse and the step up to 2m6f suited him. I was a bit worried about the rain as likes nicer ground. Hopefully he won't now receive a high mark and will get into another 80-95.
Jack Holiday routs rivals under Byrnes
Cooper keeps it in the Kingdom
He is a brother to a very good horse but unfortunately is nothing like him. This is his job though and up in trip on easier ground suited, although it wasn't a great race by any means. His wind isn't the best but that might help his confidence and he loves jumping. We'll look for a handicap and I don't think the handicapper can be too harsh on him.
Otts knocking great sport out of Inchidaly Copper
We thought the ground might be a bit soft so we were hoping he would go on it, but we're near home so said we'd take our chance and were lucky. He seems to have matured this year and handles this ground better than he used to: as a young horse he didn't want to have any of it. I'll talk to his owner but the horse has a nice bit done and we might now keep him for next year. Luke's brother Andrew is riding in America at the moment and will be home soon, so he got the spin today and deserved that.
