Going - Chase: yielding. Hurdle/Bumper: yielding to soft. Overcast
Placepot Pool - 6,866.55 Dividend - 49.90 Winning Units - 94.74. Quadpot Pool - 1,503.09 Dividend - 27.20 Winning Units - 40.79. Days Aggregate - 61,429.00 Last Year 72,729.00
Field wins again in November
He jumped well today. He was entitled to win on his rating but we thought he was a bit hard done by to get 105 in a handicap. This was ideal for him today and we're delighted with him. He'll stay handicapping and hopefully he'll win more of them - they're not easy won!
Mind bounces back to form on return
He was entitled to do that on his hurdles form. He was in great form so we'll tip away during the winter and we'll stick to fences as he has gone a bit high over hurdles and he'll pay his way. He won't get killed (by the handicapper) for winning that I wouldn't think and he's getting on but has won a couple of nice races for us. It is nice to have him for the winter, I haven't got too many so it's nice to have those sort of horses, especially for J.P. (McManus).
Place prevails in mares maiden
It probably wasn't the strongest maiden hurdle as you hadn't Willie (Mullins), Gordon (Elliott), Joseph (O'Brien) or Noel Meade. She is a good flat performer and I can't see her going on real heavy ground so she might go for a break and come back in the spring. The North County Syndicate enjoy her and Andrew and Lar Kelly from Baltinglass get good craic out of her too. Ricky gave her a great ride. Her jumping was a bit slicker than at Wexford, she was very quick over the last, and she is a nice one to look forward to. We'll see what the handicapper does with her.
Hill gallops rivals into ground
He is owned by the Lucey family in Ballymakeera. Christy Lucey, Brid's father, was with me as an owner for 20 odd years and sadly he died unexpectedly in January. I'm thrilled for the family, for Brid and Sean and all of them.
Flanagan delighted as Rose blossoms
Flanagan doubles up in a Flash
He is a lovely horse and we've always liked him. He has just been a bit mentally fragile and immature but it is all coming together and settling down,. He has always had ability and is showing it off now. He did that quite easily, he is a stayer and a chaser, being so big. I'm not sure whether we'll go for a novice or a handicap next but he is a very very nice horse for the future. He is sound and stays and jumps and is a lovely clean horse now that he has sorted his mental fragilities out.
Maud looks smart on debut
She has done everything right at home and was just ready to start. That's her first gallop on grass but we were expecting a good run and we fancied her well. She is a good filly. She was actually entered in a point to point last weekend but she was showing so much pace we said we'd come here. She'll be sold now.