Well-deserved break for Andratx

Andratx will be given a well-earned break after enjoying a fine campaign for trainer Mark McNiff.

Three juvenile starts in 2015 for Patrick Prendergast offered little promise and a change of trainer did not initially have the desired effect as his three-year-old campaign was not much of an improvement.

However, he has really raised his game this year, racking up a hat-trick over hurdles with two wins at Downpatrick sandwiching a victory at Ballinrobe and he completed his four-timer when reverting to the Flat at the Galway Festival.

"I'd say he needs a good break because he had his wind done in the winter after having a few runs as a three-year-old," said McNiff.

"He seemed to be going fierce well last spring and we trained him hard to have him ready the first day. He's entitled to a good long break.

"He'll not start back until January and there's four or five of mine in the same boat."

Andratx's winning spree came to an end when he was narrowly denied on his return to Downpatrick in mid-August, but McNiff is confident he can add to his tally in the new year.

"I probably ran him back a bit quick after Galway when he was second in the north," the Sligo-based trainer added.

"He pulled a shoe on the way racing and he kind of stabbed himself in the foot.

"While the vet passed him to run, he didn't jump with any fluency and he didn't travel at all. I'd say he was in a bit of discomfort. It's something you might get away with some days but you wouldn't another day.

"Andratx has a great attitude and I'd say it just runs in the family. Patrick Prendergast has the half-brother, Canary Row, who is a Listed winner.

"He's even smaller than our lad but he turns up and he runs well all the time as well."

After a fruitful year McNiff is expecting things to slow down in the coming weeks.

He said: "I'll be very, very quiet for the winter. I'd say there's only three or four horses to run.

"It's all young horses getting broken in and ready. We need to go to the sales next week in Goffs, and two weeks time in Tattersalls to get five or six racehorses."