Going - Heavy. Partly cloudy, windy
Jackpot Pool - 25,487.24 Dividend - 17,841.10 Winning Units - .58. Partial Carry Over of 7,738.05 to Leopardstown on Wednesday 10th April. Placepot Pool - 40,058.94 Dividend - 447.10 Winning Units - 62.75. Days Aggregate - 283,366.40 (8 races). Last Year 254,671.18 (7 races).
O'Grady & Heffernan combine to land Leopardstown opener
He’d been working nicely and very kindly Joseph (O’Brien) allowed me do a bit of work with him after racing in Naas recently. The funny thing is himself and the second (Thequietman) worked together and they finished about the same way. Aidan asked me to buy him a horse at the breeze up sales. I couldn’t get one at Goresbridge as they were too expensive. This fellow was in a sale at Deauville in July. He was only five miles up the road from me and I went to see him and loved him. The stallion is on fire and it’s brilliant to have him. I thought I was buying a dual-purpose horse as he’s 16.3. He’s the only three-year-old that I have, and I have a few two-year-olds that I bred. It’s very exciting to buy something like that and I’d say that was a fair maiden. He has a great attitude, and the dream is still alive.
Wingspan swoops to conquer under Moore
She’s like her mam, lazy and laidback. Ryan said she found loads, handled the ground and would be very comfortable with a step up in trip. She’ll have no problem going up into an Oaks Trial. She’s a baby and should improve plenty. She was first off the bridle and you would have to be happy with her.
Last to first for Ballydoyle's Battle Cry
We saw what happed him in Doncaster (got upset in the stalls and was withdrawn) last year. He just panicked but never did it before or after. Ryan gave him a very good ride. He’d prefer better ground and looks like he’ll get a mile. It’s tough out there and you have to get home there today. He could be a horse for the French or the Irish Guineas.
Twomey's Rolla keeps unbeaten record intact
I think she’s a good filly and I’d hoped she would do somethinglike that. . I haven’t run her since she won the second time last year as she just grew and I wanted to give her the time. I’m glad I did and she’s trained well all winter. . I was looking forward to coming here today although the heavy ground was a concern as her form was on good ground. She’s uncomplicated and she’s tough. . She had every chance to curl up if she wanted to but she didn’t.
Dallas the Star in Ballysax boilover
We were on a mission today to see how we were going or where we were going to go next,. He kept finding for him. Twice during the race I thought he was done for and he kept coming back. I never thought I’d see the day where we would be competing in the same race as Aidan O’Brien. I was so near to packing it in a few years ago and It’s amazing the way things can turn around. The horses are very healthy and that is a big thing. He’ll be entered in all the big races now I suppose and we’ll see where we go. I’ll have to chat to Kia and Robson and see where they want to go. He came to us over the winter.
Chantilly wins readily on handicap debut
We liked him last year but he never won,. Ryan thought he could be a horse for a handicap in Ascot and he should get into one of those three-year-old races now. I’d say he definitely wants better ground. He’s a good mover, a long striding horse.
Morse cracks handicap puzzle
That’s my first winner and I took out the licence about two years ago,. I have about ten in at the moment mostly our own. I set up at the parents farm. He’s the third generation of a family we’ve had at home. He got injured and missed all of last year. He’d a couple of good runs on the all-weather this year. He probably didn’t let himself down the last day and was well-handicapped as a result. Fingers crossed it’s onwards and upwards.
Speckled Meadow confirms liking for heavy ground
That’s my first winner as a trainer. I owned this horse when she won before for Terence O’Brien. . I have four horses in training in Carrigtwohill. . I had a licence years ago and then renewed it again last year.