Minella Indo and Rachael jumping a fence at Wexford© Photo Healy Racing
It’s been a busy week but a good week. Minella Indo gave me a great spin at Wexford, if it wasn’t for my mask you would have seen me smiling broadly as we pulled up. He could be out again next month in the Grade Two at Navan which BetVictor sponsor but wherever he goes he is one you would really be looking forward to.
Aspire Tower ran a huge race to win at Down Royal on Friday. Things feel apart a bit for him last season but he seems back to his best now, he is a horse with a big engine. It was nice to see Jason The Militant run a good race to finish third as well.
The first of my two rides at Down Royal on Saturday is on Benkei (1.50pm) for Harry Rodgers in the handicap hurdle. His last few runs have been on the flat and were a little underwhelming, so hopefully going back over hurdles will spark a bit of improvement in him. He should enjoy the ground and trip, so we’re hoping he can run a nice race.
Then I'm onto Balko Des Flos (2.25pm). He was running well the last day when he just got tired as he hadn't run in a long time, so that should have brought him on. This looks very competitive, but he's a very good horse in his own right, and hopefully we can get him back to his best. If we can we'll be there or thereabouts.
On to Sunday at Cork where my first ride is on Barney Stinson (12.40pm) for Mouse in the Robcour colours. He's a Fame and Glory horse having his first run so I'm really looking forward to to the ride. Whatever the result here we should learn a lot about him to move forward with after this.
Next, I'm with Hurricane Cliff (1.10pm) for Henry. He's rated 85 on the flat after having only had 4 runs. This will be his first run over hurdles. He's schooling well at home and we're really looking forward to seeing what he can do.
Aspire Tower and Rachael jump the last at Down Royal ahead of Abacadabras and Jason The Militant© Photo Healy Racing
Then I'm onto Tisadream (1.42pm), again for Henry, in the mares’ maiden hurdle. Similar to Hurricane Cliff, she's having her first run over hurdles. She is another one that is working well at home. We're going to learn a lot more about her here, and I'm hoping that she can be competitive and put in a nice run.
Then I'm onto Flemings Dream (2.15pm) for Ray Cody. She was good second at Killarney the last day where she settled a lot better for me. She is very nice and is learning everyday, so hopefully we won't be too far away again.
Finally I partner Trainwreck (2.46pm) who's having his first run since Cheltenham back in March. Things didn’t quite happen for us over there, but he seems very well at home and I'm hoping for a better run from him in this one.
To hear more of Rachael’s thoughts on the season ahead check out her appearance on the BetVictor Podcast series where she chats about all of her big name rides plus much more.
