Going - Hurdle/Bumper: soft, yielding to soft in places. Chase: yielding, yielding to soft in places. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 878.21 Dividend - 615.00 Winning Units - .02. Placepot Pool - 17,202.34 Dividend - 76.60 Winning Units - 157.22. Days Aggregate - 143,567.16 Last Year 113,884.47
Eternal Echo wins on hurdling debut for Elliott and Gilligan
So Smooth as Slattery's Tom easily beats sextet of rivals
He was placed in two Lincolns and why that race suits, is that he goes on any ground but wouldn't have any chance over a mile on good. I had a mad idea of entering him in the Chester Cup over 2m2f as he is that type of horse, but it is only an idea at the moment. Padraig (O'Rourke, owner) is from the Punchestown area so we could also supplement him for the Champion Hurdle. We'll see what happens but if there's only five runners, why not. He unseated at Down Royal last November and galloped loose on the ambulance road for 1m4f. I don't know what happened the next day but obviously that had an effect, so we left him off and he hasn't looked back since. I was thinking of the Galway Hurdle for him last year but I have his sister Royal Hollow for that. That's her aim but we could run both: they are grand horses to have.
Cork victory for Nolan’s French import
she had a nice run first-time out over hurdles in Leopardstown and I’d say a step up in trip will suit her. There was no great pace on and I thought we would get done for speed but she jumped great in the home straight and that sealed it. I thought the ground would be softer and I’d say it’s not next-to or near ‘winter soft’. We have no real plans made but we’ll see what mark she gets. she was sourced by Tom Malone, wasn’t overly expensive and had a mark around the high 90s on the Flat, so was decent. She is by a top stallion in Zarak and has value going forward.
Krak makes the most of opportunity to land valuable Cork prize
Gilligan on the double as Nelson County scores for O'Sullivan
The last day he ran here, we thought he'd be there or thereabouts but the ground was on the dry side for him. Every drop of rain helped today although he would probably want it softer. His pedigree, which has Our Duke in it, says 'three-mile chaser' and that's probably what he'll do next year. He did really well for Ciaran Murphy previously and was unlucky not to win a point-to-point and has got it together in his own bracket over last winter. He stays and jumps. Billy Cooper, from Rathangan, and Liam Kearney from Naas are the two main owners and there's a bunch of other lads involved as well.
Poignant win for Policeman in Michael O’Sullivan Chase
it is nice to win a race named in memory of Michael O’Sullivan and Janna (Walsh), who led him up, is Michael’s cousin. This horse was his also Michael's first winner for Willie. Willie said to ride him for speed as he thought he was a quick horse so I had one go at them and he just came alive. It was only a matter of getting over the last fence and he was very impressive. The minute I got my leg into him, it was all over. He obviously won his first few races quite well but was pulled up in a Galway Plate, and another time, but might be back on track now. He isn’t slow and I ‘d say wouldn’t mind coming back in trip either. This is my first ride in these (Rich Ricci) colours and it is great to be asked to ride for these people. Any time jockeys put on those colours you have a chance and fair play to Closutton for putting me up.
Mirazur West a fifth for Mullins on the day
Cork treble, six on the day for Mullins as Doctor Du Mesnil lands finale