Going - Good To Yielding. Fine
Trifecta Not Won. Pool of €19,929.00 carried forward to Punchestown on Saturday 2nd May. Jackpot Pool - €29,737.50 Dividend - €179.40 Winning Units - 116. Placepot Pool - €88,999.38 Dividend - €64.90 Winning Units - 958.5. Pick Six Pool - €29,589.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Punchestown on Saturday 2nd May. Days Aggregate - €738,881.00 Last Year €865,234.00
Bishopscourt victory for Vee in Gold Cup silks
I'm delighted - Martin (Kennelly) only gave him back to me in January with this race in mind and the ground drying out was a big help to him. Johnny gave him a cracking ride and filled him up at the back of the third last and had loads of horse turning for home. This is his Gold Cup and for it all to come together is brilliant. Martin will probably throw him back in the field now but I'd love to race on with him. He was third in Limerick after this race last year and was a bit unlucky. But to be fair I'd take a festival winner over that any day.
Galway Plate next up for Mullins' 11th winner
I thought this fella had been a bit disappointing and that's only his second win over fences. He had plenty of experience even though he's a novice and it's amazing to see the difference a bit of nice ground made.
Mallards take Flight for P'town Grade C win
it was a bit of a gamble running her from out of the handicap and also with her running last week but she's as genuine as they come, a real trier and consistent. The better ground helped. Paul (Carberry) said the last day the ground had gone too soft for her. Even though she's won on heavy she prefers better ground. I had thought about not running last week but then was afraid of her being out of the handicap here. It was a smallish field and a big prize today.
Faugheen rout confirms Cheltenham form
€œThat was a good performance. Ruby didn't hang around and kept applying the pressure from the front. It was a gutsy ride,. €œOn the book he had one horse to beat and that was Arctic Fire. He wasn't on the bridle at any stage though and when he's not on the bridle you know he's going some pace. Arctic Fire is a fair opponent and Ruby wasn't going to let him into it and use his speed. He was just afraid of Arctic Fire's speed and piled it on from the front to dampen his fire. €œFrom a mile out he started to apply it and I was wondering if he'd crack from so far out but he knew what he had underneath him. €œHis jumping is better going faster. €œHe's done it now in year one and we'll let him tell us how good he can be. Our Conor looked invincible when he won the Triumph but fate can go against you. €œI believe in him but he has to stand the test of time. He's very very good. We'll see now if the handicapper puts him past Hurricane Fly. €œI don't know if we'll travel back to England with him next season or stay at home. I'll have a word with the owner. €œWe know he can travel to England and back and it doesn't seem to take anything out of him. But maybe we'll stay at home and tackle the Irish horses.
Canyon helps Mullins gorge on more G1 glory
he's run seven times this season and has been more impressive each time although he was very impressive the last day. He's won four Grade 1s and I don't know if a novice has won four Grade 1s in a while - it's a fair feat. . to do what he did there puts him in the Champion Hurdle picture. He was bought as a Flat/Hurdle horse and wouldn't have the frame of a chaser and will never jump a fence - the size of him I wouldn't fancy sitting on him running down to a fence!
British raider gives Mark Walsh 3rd P'town win
I was pleased with that. He's been a bit unlucky. I took him to Aintree but he had a problem with his back and I couldn't get a saddle on him.
Stable 20/1 second-string wins Fillies Bumper
Afterwards Crawford, whose shorter priced Danielle's Journey (8/1) finished sixth, stated .œShe ran a good race against the geldings in Navan and found an easy opportunity in Carlisle,. €œIt was verging on good ground in Carlisle and it was probably similar today which swayed me towards running. €œI'd imagine that's as quick as she wants it but she seemed to handle it well. On the big galloping track she was able to stretch out. She was a bit keen early but when she went to the front she relaxed. My only instructions were to be in the first half dozen and take it from there. There was nothing between the two mares at home and Steven (Crawford, brother and jockey) went with the other mare as he felt the Presenting might handle the ground better. It was the flip of a coin and he's a bit disappointed. That's her finished for the year now and she'll go hurdling next season.
Fringe completes hunter chase clean-sweep
€œyou don't know with the meetings so close how well they are but he always gave us the indications that he was in good form all the time. €œHe's been an amazing horse this season. I'm thrilled - over the moon. The plan is similar for next season. That'll do me. It was a lovely clever ride by Nina.
