Going - Hurdle/bumper: Yielding to Soft (Yielding after 2nd) Chase: Soft. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 5,007.01 Dividend - 584.10 Winning Units - 6. Placepot Pool - 60,701.87 Dividend - 92.60 Winning Units - 458.59. Days Aggregate - 226,364.00 Last Year 707,310.00
Guinevere takes the opener for Cody and Torrens
I'm delighted with that. She did what I thought she'd do the last day, she was disappointing in Cork,. I loved the way she came up the hill today. The long term plan all along was the Lartigue Hurdle in Listowel, which we won last year with Razoul, and she'll probably end up there. She goes on any ground, it doesn't make a difference to her.
Court Maid wins easily on chasing debut
Russell misses Galway Hurdle ride on Felix Desjy
Hogan goes out on a winner with Bua Boy
I've really enjoyed it and it's hard to let go. I really enjoyed that,. I have more things going on nowadays. It's gone so busy at home and there are days when I can't think what's going on as there is so much happening. I wouldn't even know I'm riding sometimes. It's going so well. The only reason I could do this so long is because I've got such a great team at home. I couldn't have stayed riding for so long if I hadn't had that back-up behind me. My parents have been a massive help. I talked to them once or twice about doing this and they said keep doing it if you enjoy it. I do enjoy it but I have bigger commitments nowadays and there are plenty of good lads riding there. I though he could win but you never know until everything goes right in the race. I like Galway and always did. I always trained everything for Galway. I thought if ever there was time to go and leave the job, it was here at my favourite track. I had a good career, I wouldn't say outstanding but I rode lots of winners and this was probably my Cheltenham. I'm happy to concentrate on the training job now. We have a lot of good Flat horses. Mick Halford will be happy as he's been telling me for years 'give up that riding craic'. Ted's been telling me and Ruby hinted at it once or twice. It was my decision and I'm looking forward to the future now.
Topweight Aramon lands Galway Hurdle
I got a good bollocking off Willie for missing the start in the Plate yesterday so I wasn't missing the start today!. I jumped the first in front, I thought Felix Desjy would be making the running. I got over to the rail, dropped a gear and Denis O'Regan was the person who has gone by me. He wouldn't be known for setting strong fractions so I said I was going to get out from behind him and try and get a clear run. As long as Denis was in front I was happy we weren't going too fast. He had 3lb more than Sharjah and that was good news for me, those big weights. The race was run to suit him, the fact that it was good ground and they went steady. With a real strong gallop the weight would have told a bit more. Paul makes the decisions. Aramon was the only one I could ride at the weights. Paul was in two minds about what way to go. In the end weight swung it for him towards Buildmeupbuttercup. I just texted Willie saying Aramon was the only one I could ride and he said fine. He has to be a Champion Hurdle horse after that. He was a very good novice and a bit like Sharjah lost his way then but his run off top-weight in the County and win off top-weight here, it looks like he's getting his mojo back. That could put him up to 160 which puts him within 3 or 4lb of the top horses in the land. I'd imagine it'll be Grade Ones from now on. He's better on good ground. He could be a horse for Far Hills in America but maybe in a year's time. I haven't had a chance to talk to Willie yet but I
A bloodless victory for Jon Snow
Paul (Townend) said he was good, he said he enjoyed the trip and the ground. It was great, it was a bit of confidence for him again. Hopefully he can improve away. We were disappointed it took him as long as it did to win his maiden. I'd say the run in the Curragh brought him on. He has a bit of size so I'd say he could mix it between Flat, hurdles and over fences.
Ronan and 'Tubs' doing a fine job with The Trigger
I'm over the moon — delighted. We did fancy him coming here. The handicapper gave him 12lb for the last day but we thought it was fair as every race he has improved. My son 'Tubs' had him spot on for today, he rides him at home and he told me he was ready to rock!. We took a chance, Galway wasn't the plan to be honest. It was just that he won so impressively at Limerick and was getting 12lb so I said 'why not' and stuck him in. That's four wins in under four weeks, it's amazing. I had horses won a sequence before and then we've given them a break and sometimes you can't get them back. When he's in good form like that I might just give him a week or two and maybe try and go for the five. We'll strike while the iron is hot as he's eleven. You could give him a break and he could come back and never be the same. We'll play it by ear, get today over and see how it goes. (My son) Tiernan couldn't come today as he's busy with the kitchen and Tubs is outside watching through the hedge. It's a pity because he's Sean Flanagan's ride but he broke his sternum the other day. He's turned the horse inside out and got a good tune out of him. He's a big part of it. We needed the split there as he had a rough enough passage and ran keen the whole way. He never really got any light at any of his hurdles. It looked like we were in trouble turning in but Mark said once he got the split he knew he was going to win. It's some achievement to win four-in-a-row in Ireland, it's hard to do, espec
Slige Dala a clearcut winner of the bumper
Tom (Hamilton) said he was just behind the bridle all the way but he said he's a strong stayer. On his first two runs he was a little bit green but last time in Punchestown he showed a bit more and hit the line running. I think it was a decent enough bumper today, they were quite a few fancied horses in it. We'll see what Joseph does with him now but he jumps well and that's going to be his game as he's a lovely big horse.