Going - Soft to Heavy. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €954.92 Dividend - €82.30 Winning Units - 8.12. Placepot Pool - €35,381.41 Dividend - €17.30 Winning Units - 1429.1. Days Aggregate - €167,131.39 Last Year €120,153.60
Cheltenham plan for Doyle's homebred Metamorpheus
we bred him, the mare (Coral Dawn) died last year but she bred some good horses for us and his brother Sailors Warn was a Grade 1 (placed) hurdler for Edward O'Grady, so the pedigree is there for the job. She was a tough mare and breeds that into the stock - they are all tough and hardy. from the first day we schooled him, knew he was a natural. He had a smashing run in Limerick and came on from that. We'd have to consider the Boodles (at Cheltenham) or something like that for him now but will probably needs another run for experience. He's a small horse and he'll handle good ground as well. He only had one run as a two-year-old, when backward, and then was sick early last summer so we didn't get to run him. He was in all summer but just wasn't firing. As soon as we schooled him though we knew he was going to be a natural.
Royal returns for rental investments
Mullins & Townend continue hot streak
Flying Foley bags another notable success
it's great to get that - I was a bit worried about the ground, as it was yielding to soft the last day he ran here. Simon said he'll stay further, he ran over 2m6f the last day but 2m4f is okay for him. He's a big baby, he's still green and is only learning. It'll take a little bit of time for the penny to drop fully with him. I wouldn't mind maybe coming back here for the 0-123 hurdle at the festival as I think that would be his time of the year but we'll see what they say. He'll be a chaser down the road - he's an out-and-out chaser. We'll see what Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) says and see what we do with him from here.
Lets a Clear winner as Cromwell bags double
Kelly collects as gamble is defeated
Pat and his son Tony had him in good old order. He's a horse that likes to be kept fresh. He was actually entered for the chase yesterday but they opted to go for the hurdle with the lower weight and I'm glad it paid dividends. He likes to run fresh and it felt like he only jumped-in going to the second last. He's ten years of age now and likes to be kept happy. When he decides to go, you have to cajole him along and let him think he's the big man. I'm delighted for Pat and the team.
'Super sub' McGill rides first winner
