Going - Heavy. Dry
Jackpot Pool - 1,979.25 Dividend - 1,385.50 Winning Units - .07. Partial Carry Over of 1,840.64 to Navan on Monday 17th November. Placepot Pool - 38,316.35 Dividend - 57.40 Winning Units - 466.91. Days Aggregate - 313,806.02 Last Year 244,194.18
Barbizon makes winning start over hurdles
He jumped brilliant. We were a bit worried about his jumping at home - he was novicey, to be honest. That's why Jack went for the other horse, he had the pick of the two of them. It was a good performance and delighted with him. I think on better ground he will be even better. He's a nice horse and he was a highly rated horse (on the Flat), and he wasn't cheap. Fairyhouse might come a bit quick, so Leopardstown at Christmas more than likely.
Fitzgibbon opens hurdle account aboard Flashaway
St Denis's Well again shows his liking for Navan
I wouldn't have minded which of them won really! Harley Street (finished 12th) probably just didn't handle the ground, but Denis was good - we knew he would handle it. He's back down in that grade. He hasn't been able to win out of a 0-100 over hurdles, but he did it there today anyway. This has been the plan since he came back in. The handicapper probably really has him, so we said go back to where we know he runs well. He's (rated) 120 over fences, so hopefully he can still run away. He's obviously just a better chaser. He's gawky in front and you're happy his ears are pricked and he's not killing himself. The Ladies National at Fairyhouse in two weeks' time, I'd say that is where we will go next. He was second in that a couple of years ago as well.
Kalypso'chance back on track with Monksfield triumph
We were disappointed in him the last day, but I'd say just two miles was too short and a lot of ours just needed the run at that stage. I was probably trying to be clever splitting them all up in Down Royal. I was nervous of running him back so quick but, in fairness, it was the right decision. He was tough. In fairness to him, he was a different horse there today. You could see the way he was travelling with his head down, he was happy. In Down Royal, his head was in the air and he never jumped. He had good bumper form last year and probably tapered off a bit at the end of the year, but that was back to more like it today. I'd say that's it (his trip) and he could go further as well. Maybe straight to Naas because he's after having two quick runs. Like most of those Gigginstown horses, he was bought to be a big chaser. I'd say whatever he does over hurdles, it is going to be chasing down the road.
Crawford has Paddy's Milestone 'fresh and well' after a year off
He was fresh and well, obviously. He was fairly straight there. We aimed him for Down Royal last year, he won it well. A few wee niggly problems last season and didn't get him out again. He has come in a stronger horse this year. We would have run him last week in Fairyhouse if it had been on. Probably there today, on heavy ground, you are encouraged to go with a bottom-weight rather than a top-weight. It was an unknown whether he would handle ground as testing as that, but I'd say it wasn't an issue for him. If he comes out of it alright, something in a month's time. If that ends up being at Christmas, so be it. He's hopefully going to still have a mark that gives him a chance again. We have plenty in, we have a good squad of three-year-olds for next season so that is kind of the main focus. Few older ones to run here over the next six weeks or so.
Answer To Kayf lands the Troytown for Shinnick and O'Brien
Final Demand impresses on chasing debut
It was (scintillating), he was just so natural, wasn't he? Jumping down the back watching him taking fences in his stride. I got a little worried coming to the third-last that he was getting a little tired and I thought Jack (Kennedy on Wingmen) was getting a little closer. When they were over the third-last, Paul just gave him a squeeze and a shake, and next thing he just started opening up again. His jumping was so natural, it was fantastic. He looked it (real deal) at this minute. I mean that is just a beginners' chase, but it was still a deep enough beginners' chase. I'm hoping there is still plenty of improvement in him. He wouldn't have been wound up for today or anything. On to Christmas maybe, Dublin Racing Festival, and fingers crossed after that.
Elliott completes treble with new recruit Oldschool Outlaw in the bumper
I like her now, she's tough, has a good attitude and wants to win. She'll be better when she gets a jump in front of her. We will probably go jumping sooner than later, I'd imagine.