Going - Heavy. Overcast
Placepot Pool - 21,371.08 Dividend - 35.70 Winning Units - 418.34. Quadpot Pool - 2,029.88 Dividend - 33.90 Winning Units - 44.22. Days Aggregate - 116,837.00 Last Year 161,816.00
Razzle dazzles in Punchestown's opener
I was very adamant about making the running on her today and she did it very well. She jumped brilliantly. When Mark Walsh (on eventual third Pure Genius) came to me at the second last she picked up. She was very good. The last day it was probably the wrong trip as the 2m4f stretched her a bit, and she was a bit keen that day. She's a nice big mare and she'll jump a fence in time.
Cesarewitch winner scores on hurdles debut
that was great, it was great to get him on the board on his first run over hurdles. Brian seemed very happy and he's over the moon with him. We'll have a look at the program book now - he's a horse to look forward to in the spring. I told Brian to keep filling him up and not to go for broke. He was very excited coming back in and he loved him.
Gabbys Cross foils Debuchet gamble
I'm delighted and it was a brilliant ride by Rachael. He seems to be improving, he was a bit weak last year. There is a novice handicap over 2m4f at Leopardstown and I just have to check if he's eligible, if he is he'll go for that.
Unexpected win for McKiernan
I have to say we weren't expecting that. He had some niggly problems but he seems to be 100 percent now. He's hard on himself as well, he doesn't relax much. we knew he stayed three miles but it was always on good ground he was finishing strongly. Even at home on deep sand he wouldn't be that comfortable on it. We didn't think he was as ready as he is either. James (Reilly) works for us in the yard and that's his first ride since October and it suited to take 7lbs off him. We'll look for something around Christmas, now that he shows he handles softish ground as well as that. We're delighted because it's a long time since we were in the winners' enclosure here. It does everybody in the yard good.
Doubling De Bromhead eyes New Year for Rire
I'm delighted with that. He seemed to really enjoy himself and jumped really well. Rachael said he was brave at the first couple, a bit fresh, but once he settled down into it he seemed to be loving it. His two jumps up the side, four out and three out, were really good. He seems really nice and a real three miler. Hopefully he'll come on a bit from that as well. He's in the race at Leopardstown over Christmas (Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase). His owner Peter Davies is based in England so the race at Kempton (Grade 1 Kauto Star Novice Chase) is another option although both races might come a bit soon. There is a Grade 3 in Naas in the New Year over that trip and that might be the more sensible one. We'll weigh it up and see.
Hoke Colburn keeps the ball rollin'
the On The Green Syndicate are an awful enthusiastic bunch of owners, they are just back golfing this week so to throw in the winner as well is mighty!. he's been very unlucky. Eoin (Mahon) was very unlucky on him when he got pushed wide at the second last in Clonmel and things didn't go to plan in the Ladies National. His jumping is his forte and that was brilliant.
McMahon makes winning return in bumper