Going - Good To Firm (Watering). Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €5,000.00 Dividend - €180.40 Winning Units - 19.4. Placepot Pool - €47,895.00 Dividend - €51.70 Winning Units - 647.31. Pick Six Pool - €25,000.00 Dividend - €3,888.80 Winning Units - 4.5. Days Aggregate - €286,753.00 (8 races). Last Year €321,087.28 (7 races).
Portage justifies favouritism in the opener
He's a lovely big horse and he stepped forward nicely from his first run. We gave him a bit of time as he's a big horse. He loved the ground and will have no bother stepping up to a mile. Whether he'll run again this year is debatable but he's a nice colt. Shane said he's still quite babyish but he was always confident that once he got a hold of him that he'd pick up for him. I'd say he's still green, and hopefully there is more to come. He could be a nice prospect for next year. We took our time with him. They are great people to train for in that they never rush you or put you under any pressure to run them, and we just felt that he'd benefit from the extra time which he did. The patience will pay off. He's not slow and I'd say he'll start off over a mile next year.
Qualify impresses in Weld Park Stakes
We think she's a very smart filly. She just wanted to be pulled back as she's a filly with a lot of speed. We have been riding her wrong. You can put her to sleep and she has a massive stride and can get there quickly. She's a Fastnet Rock and loves that ground, and she could go for the Fillies Mile (at Newmarket on October 17th) if the ground stays good.
War gets back to winning ways
He's a fast horse who likes fast ground, and the key is a strong early tempo. There is a chance he could be supplemented for the Abbaye. We'll see how he comes out of this, and it looks like the ground will be good.
Ol' Man River shows his class in the Beresford
He travelled and learned a lot as today was on the round course. He was able to sit in and relax and he has a lot of speed. It was a nice experience and I couldn't be happier. He's in the Racing Post Trophy and the Dewhurst. He has all the entries but he doesn't have to run again this year as he has the two runs and knows enough now going into next year. He could run again this year but we won't force him. This time of year horses can change so we'll see what happens. He loves fast ground and is a beautiful mover. He's by Montjeu but a horse with that pace will always handle nice ground. He's exciting. He might get a mile and a quarter but you couldn't be sure he'll get a mile and a half. He's a hardy horse, he's not a whimp which is a good sign. He moved forward lovely from his maiden and he learned plenty today.
Hat-trick for Harrington's Hurricane
At the beginning of the year he didn't want to know, and since he's jumped fences he's turned a corner. Kate said he jumped out today and tanked. Turning in he was still tanking, and I knew he would stay going. I was a bit worried it was too short for him. He's been running over two and a half miles over fences.
Prince now 4 from 6 after Joe McGrath win
He was my first winner and has been a great horse for me (fourth win this year). That was a great performance for a three-year-old, and I'm delighted that he's won. I'll probably put him away now and give him a chance to strengthen up. Fran gave him a lovely ride, and the blinkers worked a trick. It's not that he's ungenuine, he's just a little bit idle. The owner, Angel Li, is from Macau and that is her first runner in Ireland.
Kiely records biggest flat success with Line
I've always liked her and she keeps improving. She may have had enough racing now for this year. That's my first runner in a Listed race so it has to stand as one of my career highs.
O'Brien completes four-timer on Time
He was a champion sprinter in Scandanavia but you wouldn't need as much speed there as you would over here. I have found that he stays seven furlongs and a mile, and I may even try him over ten furlongs now.
