Going - Soft To Heavy. Fine and cold
Jackpot Pool - €3,016.09 Dividend - €47.50 Winning Units - 45.38. Placepot Pool - €34,869.19 Dividend - €25.80 Winning Units - 943.38. Pick Six Pool - €10,000.00 Dividend - €7,000.00 Winning Units - 1. Days Aggregate - €146,999.00 Last Year €84,762.00
Los Amigos to be aimed at Irish National
that's a lovely re-introduction. We had hoped to go for the Irish National last year but he banged a joint the week before and needed time off after that, so he's late reappearing. He's handicapped to win a big race and the Irish National will be the aim again. We were interested to see where he was at and we'll see how he is in the morning but the leg seems fine. There is room for another run in between and he could go to Naas for the Leinster National. He might be one that runs best fresh.
Feane gains first NH winner with 'lead horse'
a friend of mine had him with (trainer) Willie Murphy and I got him to lead the young horses during the winter, trotting and hacking. We got him because he's handicapped over hurdles and fences and he was in great form so I said we'd run him and he won, so it's grand. He's a fun horse who wants three miles and the softer the better. He'll probably win over hurdles as he's a better jumper of hurdles than fences.
Mullins' mare maintains unbeaten Run
she was coming back from a bit of a setback as she had a cold and missed Christmas. I wondered if this was too soon and I was delighted with the way the two of them (winner and runner-up) ran. There was a doubt about running either of them but there wasn't much, bar going to England with them, so we said we'd run the two and take the chance. This mare (Morning Run) seems to be going from strength to strength and I'd say we'll come back here for the Grade 1 (at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival) with the two of them rather than going to Cheltenham., that looks the shrewder plan.
Elliott winner set for Fred Winter Hurdle
I'd say that wasn't a great race but he won. Davy said he was very keen with the wind behind him. He travelled like a nice horse and will probably go for the Fred Winter now at Cheltenham - that's the plan as he's had three runs now.
Velvet Maker justifies odds-on favouritism
the horse and owner both deserved that as he promised to be a good horse last year. We were so happy after Navan (third behind Vautour) and he was second in the north to a good horse and we had hoped that he'd run well at Christmas but he was beaten a long way. Maybe he's learning as he's only a young horse and he couldn't do anymore today. Everyone can say it's a bad race but with 20 runners around Fairyhouse in that ground I don't think there are any bad races.
Lady's strike-rate 'better than Willie Mullins'
that's my eighth winner since I've started training and in the past three years I've trained six winners from only two or three horses. I think that's better than Willie Mullins' achievements strike-wise!. I won on this mare's mother here eight years ago and she also loved that heavy ground- the heavier the better and touch wood this mare does too.
Kicking King's sister continues unbeaten run
I think she's a nice mare and I'll have to chat to Eddie and Michael (O'Leary, of owners Gigginstown House Stud) but if it doesn't come up too quick she's definitely a mare for Punchestown or Aintree (bumpers).
