Going - Good, Good to Yielding in places: changed to Yielding after Race 2. Showers
Jackpot Pool - 181.49 Not Won. Carried forward to Leopardstown. Placepot Pool - 11,537.25 Dividend - 467.20 Winning Units - 24.73. Days Aggregate - 94,947.56 Last Year 214,880.09
Natural Look is claimed after gaining fourth win
She is rising nine and when you start to think about going to stud and covering them. We gave her a break after being pulled up at Leopardstown and I said to David (Needham, owner) would we give somebody a chance to claim her and buy a younger horse. To be fair to her she has won four races and been placed ten times. She has been a great mare for us and collected a couple of bonuses along the way as well. If she’s claimed she’s claimed and if she’s coming home we’re happy as well.
Elliott's Dream defies drift to readily land Clonmel maiden hurdle
Tideways Hero delivers under well judged Blackmore ride
She jumped really well but is a bit keen still and ran a bit fresh but Rachael did a great job. She came through really nice. We gave her a good break over the winter. She’s a real good ground mare and looks like she might have strengthened up a bit so I’m delighted.
Flicker Of Hope rewards support at Clonmel
He’s done it well. He came off the bridle a bit green coming down the hill but he battled back well coming up the hill and his jumping was much better today. Aidan said he was completely different over that style of hurdle and is something to look forward to. The ground has opened up a bit after a few showers and is lovely and safe. He’s a nice horse for the summer but just wouldn’t want to run him on too quick a ground.
Ballycashin opens her account for Tony and Danny Mullins
We were thinking a Flemensfirth wanted soft ground and I’d say she’s a better mare on a bit of nice ground. Danny decided to ride her chilly out the back to let her get into a rhythm and she won well. We were surprised that she hasn’t done that up to now but I’d say we were riding her wrong and on the wrong ground. We might continue for the summer.
Only A Dollar gets the money in Clonmel mares maiden hurdle
She had a bit of experience today and I’d say two miles is as far as she needs to go. I made a few mistakes running her over two and a half. She settled there today with that kind of ride and got things her own way in front. She was that relaxed he had to wake her up a bit. She’s not that ground dependant and could tip away over the summer on those nippy little tracks.
Woodstream Lad another winner for in-form Rothwell team
He’s been a super little horse, and I just couldn’t run him on real winter ground. I thought today with the rain getting into it that it might catch him out and I don’t think he jumped as confident as he could have done. I’d say they went plenty quick in front, and he ended up further back than you would like. It worked out well and Phidelma gets on well with him and her 7lb claim. I actually bought him for her to ride as a bit of fun in handicaps and then John Leckey came on board to purchase him. His Leopardstown run at Christmas was very good and then we hoped he might sneak into the two-mile handicap at Punchestown but the entries were incredible. It’s our first winner of the season. I know it’s only three weeks but it seems like a long time. Phidelma is a hard grafter and is part of a really good team I have with many senior staff. I’m very fortunate to have them and just try to man the fort.
Fad Eadrainn makes winning return in Clonmel finale
He’s been very consistent and has strengthened up a bit, although it was a worry coming here that the ground changed as much as it did. I told John to ride him to get home and he gave him a serious ride. He’s a nice horse and we think a lot of him. He’ll be a lovely horse going over jumps. We won’t be killing him with racing as he’s still filling out into his frame. If a winners’ bumper came up in about a month’s time we might consider it or we could run him over hurdles.