Going - Soft (Heavy In Places). Overcast
Trifecta Not Won. Pool of €971.51 carried forward to Punchestown on Wednesday 24th April. Jackpot Pool - €49,318.00 Dividend - €2,175.70 Winning Units - 17. Placepot Pool - €62,197.22 Dividend - €315.20 Winning Units - 147.94. Daily Double Pool - €185.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Punchestown on Wednesday 24th April. Pick Six Pool - €8,888.50 Not Won. Carried forward to Punchestown on Wednesday 24th April. Days Aggregate - €736,646.00 Last Year €698,088.34
Zest pleases plenty in Punchestown opener
That's the jockey's first winner, he hasn't even ridden a point-to-point winner. He's eighteen and he rides out for me in the mornings. He's from Limerick. He's mum and dad breed a lot of flat horses. I'm chuffed for him and also for Robert (Miller-Bakewell, the winning owner) who's had horses with me for 15 years. I'm delighted with that . this horse might go to France now. He ran last year in a smaller race out there where he unseated his rider. He'll probably go back now as he's got the expenses. It looks like I'll have to start schooling Near Perfection over water!
Jezki brilliant in Herald Champion Novice
Robbie (Power) didn't do anything wrong on him (when 3rd in the Supreme Novices'). On the day he probably wasn't 100 percent. I'd say he was more impressive at Christmas (at Leopardstown) when he won, than he was for me in the Royal Bond. He had two great wins before that at Naas on atrocious ground which he doesn't really want, and he would have been short of fitness, but he definitely has the engine. He was unbelievable . he did it great. Even though they went a serious gallop I thought passing the stands that he wasn't settling. He made a mistake then at the second and settled after that. I was delighted with the gallop they went. I don't know what the time was but they went a serious gallop and it suited him. Maybe the travelling or the hill did for him at Cheltenham. I don't know. He jumped well there, except for the last two. Today, except for the second, he was brilliant. He just accelerated past them. I thought he was 100 percent going to Cheltenham. Maybe he didn't like the cold . the sun shone today which helped. He's only done one piece of work since Cheltenham . he's done very little. He had a jump yesterday morning . his first since Cheltenham. I'd imagine he'll stay over two miles and over hurdles . he's only a five-year-old (as short as 6/1 now for the Champion Hurdle). I haven't spoken to J P - I'll go with the flow . he's a wonderful horse to train. The mare (the dam) is an amazing mare. She's bred multiple Grade 1 winners.
Il Fenomeno shows his best
I thought he'd win the County Hurdle and couldn't believe when he stopped so quickly. I'd suppose he keeps a bit to himself and even today when he got to the front he thought he'd done enough. Eddie (O'Leary) suggested that we make the running with him but then we thought that they might go a bit quick. I said to Paul to do whatever he wanted. I was very disappointed with Paul that day in the Boylesports. I think he would have won there if he'd took his time on him (finished fifth that day at Leopardstown in January behind Abbey Lane). His two runs since though were moderate, at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse. It's nice to come here and get the win with him. He has loads of ability . he's a Group 3 winner on the flat.
Sprinter delights Punchestown throng
I had him 101 percent for Cheltenham and then we slotted in Aintree after that so to do the three is very, very hard. Even if you think it's an easy race - being in this sort of theatre takes a lot out of them. It was harder for him today than in the past but it was more testing (softer) ground. Fair play to Sizing Europe - he ran a hell of a race. On good ground he's spectacular but you can't do it on this ground. It's special to come to Punchestown. We love coming here and we've been doing it for years. There was no point in staying at home and I hope everyone in Ireland enjoyed seeing him.
Moyle Park lands the Land Rover Bumper
He must be tough to do what he did. He pulled so hard from the very beginning. I thought he couldn't keep it up but he must have a fair engine. He gallops and stays . he was very strong but they went no pace. He'll have no problem going out in trip . that'll be him for the season and he'll come back over hurdles next term,. so
Benbulben spectacular in the Growise
I think the fact that the horse didn't go to Cheltenham meant he was a fresher horse coming here. They went a stride slower in the three mile race and he was able to get into a rhythm and jump. Hopefully next year now he'll be there in all the three mile races and he'll be competitive. He's learning all the time. We always knew he was a good horse. His jumping just had to come together. Danny's done a great job and he's been down to Con Powers to school as well.
Punchestown double at over 66/1 for Elliott
He's a nice horse . he's still a big baby and he's a 3 mile chaser in the making. He was flat out early. He's a nice horse for the future . he wants a summer's grass and we'll see what happens. I don't know what happened at the start . I'd like to see it again.
