Going - Soft To Heavy. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €9,282.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Leopardstown on Sunday 12th February. Placepot Pool - €29,572.65 Dividend - €145.50 Winning Units - 152.39. Daily Double Pool - €230.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Leopardstown on Sunday 12th February. Pick Six Pool - €5,389.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Leopardstown on Sunday 12th February. Days Aggregate - €84,509.00 Last Year
Masterson rules in Naas opener
when Bat Masterson ran at Limerick, Paul (Carberry, jockey) said that the horse thought that he was going to sink on the heavy ground . he's only a small horse. After that we gave him a bit of a break. Blinkers helped today and he stays really well. We'll see what rating he gets and find something else for him before the end of the season. I would say there is a Flat race in him as well.
Bog bounces back with Opera Hat win
I wouldn't be adverse to missing Cheltenham this season as he is definitely a winter ground horse. It was a relief to win - we were gutted at Christmas with what happened (fell at Leopardstown). He had been jumping so well up to that and it's good to get that out of the way with and get him back winning. He got a fair scare at Christmas and it knocked him for a bit. He started back the right way but I don't know where he goes now. He is a horse who I wouldn't subject to running on good ground, he has a real round action.
Fast finishing Bridget Pet scores maiden win
the heavy ground is the key to Bridgets Pet - he stayed on in heavy ground at Galway and did the same today. I imagine he won't be asked to race on fast ground and the Purcell Hurdle at Thurles in March may be the race for him next.
Mister First visits winner's enclousre
Mister First deserved that, he tries so hard and has had three runs in two weeks on heavy ground. I thought early on today he might be in trouble but Andrew said they went so quick that he just sat and sat. People have knocked him saying he is a bridle horse but he gives 100%. He was bought out of the same yard as Solwhit from the French/Belgian border and came with a high reputation but he wouldn't be near as good as Solwhit!. Three miles on heavy ground is too far but the trip suited today - we'll see what the handicapper does with him now. It's nice to get a winner before Rubi Light's run in the Red Mills Chase next weekend which gives us a bit of confidence.
Colls Corner completes Condon double
we were hopeful more than confident today but we weren't totally surprised he won. Today's trip was a bit short for him and ideally he wants further than two miles but the ground was a help. He'll probably go to Thurles for a 2m6f race on Thursday week.
Russell conquers on Rome
we'll see where we go with him now but he has plenty of options - he has been disappointing until now. Davy gave him a super ride and he seems to have his confidence back. We could find a little novice for Gates Of Rome now or there's also a few handicaps we could look at and we'll see what the handicapper does. He jumps fantastic but had a horrible fall at Gowran and it has taken until now to get his confidence back. I'm delighted with him and on his day, he isn't a bad horse.
Clonbanan a Cheltenham possible after Naas rout
we're praying for soft ground at Cheltenham . he's a fair tool! . It's nice that it has worked out for his owner Edward Walsh as we both lost two lovely young horses in the last fortnight. In fact Clonbannan Las was actually bought as a replacement for another young horse who is out injured for a year - I'm delighted it has worked out. He keeps improving and he hasn't stopped yet and he could end up anywhere.
