Going - Soft, Soft to heavy in places. Overcast and dry
Jackpot Pool - €6,765.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Dundalk on Friday 24th January. Placepot Pool - €29,379.98 Dividend - €228.90 Winning Units - 89.81. Pick Six Pool - €20,418.50 Days Aggregate - €213,412.00 Last Year €193,085.00
Future chaser Abbyssial again makes all
He jumped well and maybe more like a chaser. He was bought as a chaser and is a typical Beneficial. He came from France, and if he was raised in Ireland he would probably be running in a four-year-old point-to-point now. He's precocious enough and has a good standard of ability. I see him as a chaser long-term and Cheltenham isn't my first thought for him. If the ground is dry we'll probably skip it and he might go back to France.
Butler and Winkler tough it out
He's a good tough horse and won his bumpers well. Things happened a bit quick for him at Leopardstown and my horses were a bit flat over Christmas. He was caught a bit flat-footed today but got a good strong ride. He'll stay further and we might stick him in a novice over a trip next. He does nothing in a hurry but has been working very well the last ten days. He'll make a nice chaser down the road.
Beach leads home Elliott 1-2
He's a nice horse. It was a messy race at Leopardstown where they went no gallop and it played into Zaidpour's hands. He's in the World Hurdle but it would have to be very soft for him to run. Really it's all about next year for him as he's a big three-mile chaser in the making.
Time scores in runaway fashion
I hope the handicapper was not looking! He's a horse that's not able to carry much weight.
On His Own lands another Thyestes
It's some honour to equal Tom Dreaper and win this race five times. I thought Vesper Bell's form was winning form and I felt he was travelling like a winner at Warwick the last day. I'd have advised Ruby to ride him over On His Own. It's his one big race before the Aintree National. He's fallen there twice but it shouldn't have any bearing in him going there again. He can't win it unless he's in it. The Grand National has been his goal for the last two seasons. I told Paul that I want to hear Dessie Scahill calling him in front from the first fence. Those were his only instructions and that's what he did. Balnaslow ran well and I'll find a nice race for him in the spring.
Some is just the Tikket
Hercules completes treble for Mullins
He's a good horse and I'd imagine he'll be entered for the Cheltenham Bumper. He might take in one more race before Cheltenham but I'd like to keep him on softer ground. He's a big horse and a chaser in the making.
