Going - Heavy. Overcast and wet
Jackpot Pool - €5,943.04 Dividend - €693.30 Winning Units - 6. Placepot Pool - €32,657.13 Dividend - €130.10 Winning Units - 175.7. Pick Six Pool - €25,000.00 Dividend - €17,500.00 Winning Units - .5. Partial Carry Over of €12,460.70 to Dundalk on Friday 29th January. Days Aggregate - €149,790.67 (6 races). Last Year €96,159.00 (7 races).
Westerners Son takes opener at Thurles
He kept going best and jumped super bar the last, twice. He was entitled to win, keeps galloping and is a hardy boy. We'll look for a winners of one next.
Rock impresses in mares beginners chase
Russell steps in for Smashing ride
Its a shame Johnny (Burke) missed the ride and hopefully he'll be ok but Davy was a great sub and gave him a great ride. I was delighted with the way he did it apart from the last two but it was a competitive race. We've waited for the race since Christmas and I'm delighted we did wait as it was cancelled twice. We'll look at the options but the Ryanair Chase looks a bit steep. I ran him in the wrong race last year in the Arkle as he was lost on the better ground. He had previously finished fourth in the Coral Hurdle and I might look at the 2m5f handicap chase. The handicaps at Cheltenham are almost like conditions chases now and we'll stick to either Grade 2's or 3's or handicaps.
Meadow makes all to upset Arbre
He deserved that and Davy said he'd have gone around again. This is definitely not a bad horse and has speed and stamina. Davy said he did quicken today and three miles will also be no problem for him. I'll wait for next year before running him in those big handicaps and will look for a winners of one next. I'll also look for black-type seeing as I bred him and have the mare. I might make a few bob for myself!
Russell completes 99/1 treble at Thurles
He broke down before last season and was then a little sluggish last year. When he ran at Naas recently he launched at the second fence and Davy then minded him to help him regain his confidence but he was back to what he can do today. He's nicely handicapped over hurdles so that is also an option and when he tells us he's ready, we'll go again. He's been a great horse and is owned by William Gleeson who turned 91 recently.
Milanesque justifies strong support
It wasn't a great race but he was handicapped to do that and showed promise at Naas the last day. He had form in point to points but broke down and needs to be paying for himself now.
