Going - Hurdle/Flat/Pro-Am - Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places), Chase - Yielding to Soft. Fine
Jackpot Pool - 58,889.00 Dividend - 2,760.40 Winning Units - 16. Placepot Pool - 53,154.00 Dividend - 125.80 Winning Units - 316. Days Aggregate - 1,376,845.00 Last Year 1,768,252.00
Whatever Next for Russell
Fit The Cove wins for Rogers
This horse owes us nothing. I was in two minds as to whether to run him or not today as he was disappointing at the Curragh the last day., . He loves it around here and he always runs a good race. This is his third win around here. Danny gave him a great ride and it'll keep him going for another while. He was disappointing over hurdles so we'll probably just stick to flat with him.
Montero completes the hat-trick of wins
He's a very good horse and Gerry Cully's horse Joe Soap making the running really worked out well for us and the stiff two miles around here really suited him. He was entitled to beat those horses on ratings. He stays and jumps very well. We will stick to novice chases rather than handicap chases as he's a small horse.
Bolger scores with Slieve Mish
I think 7f to a mile is her best trip. She did it very well and Kevin seemed to be very happy with her. I'd imagine she's stick to 7f to a mile providing suitable races can be found for her.
Walsh at his best
I thought Ruby was very good there, he just locked jaw for 2 1/4 miles. If he had got away from him at any stage the race was over. It just goes to show the strength of a man he is because that horse was so free. If I can find another novice hurdle we will go for that. I will have a look at Killarney and Listowel but he could quite possibly go chasing this season. I was worried about him getting up the hill but he had a wind operation last year and it was obviously a major success.
Gray wins Galway Hurdle aboard Bahrain Storm
The horse is in super form. I told Stephen to race him on the inside and everything worked out well. We gave him a canter this morning at six o'clock as he's a bit stuffy. We checked his heart and he obviously has a good recovery rate because he was absolutely fine and squealing before the race. Stephen is a good young lad and he rides out for me the odd morning. I spoke to Davy [Russell] and he said he's too much weight so when the weights went up I said we'd let Stephen ride him. It hasn't sunk in yet but we've now won the McDonogh Handicap, the big Amateur Handicap and the hurdle so I'll have to try and win the Plate now.
Articilitis wins again for McDonogh
She's an improving filly and she appears to keep on improving. Fillies tend to improve a lot this time of year. She was nearly out of the system at one stage when she was rated 47. We hope to keep her going and maybe go for another a mile 1/4 to a mile 1/2 handicap. Gary is a good lad and used his head in letting her settle in front. It was a pity that I had to beat my son [Declan McDonogh who finished second on the 5/4 favourite No One Tells Me].
Carberry takes last at Galway
This lad was very unlucky at a point to point in Stradbally when he fell at the last in front. He was a little bit too keen the last day at Wexford but Nina had a better hold of him today. He's entered in the Doncaster Sales, he's schooled over hurdles and he jumps very well. If he's not sold he'll come back to me and we'll go novice hurdling. I think he'll make a lovely chaser in time.