Going - Soft. Overcast
Promotion for 'coachman in Naas opener
Noel Meade:- .I know I'm biased but I think it was the right decision. What probably made the decision was when Paul jumped the second-last he came over in front of him. You could say why didn't he (Cooper) go round him but he never actually had a chance to go around him because once Paul blocked him up, he had nowhere to go except to keep going straight. Rachael (Blackmore, on Amirite) came out and Paul went in (at the last) but I think he was the best horse. I'll have to talk to JP and Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) before I can say where he's going to go next because I don't know. Frank is away on holidays with the boss. I do think wherever he goes, he does need soft ground, that's essential.
Course compensation for Aarons Day
a couple of years ago he was left at the start here over hurdles and almost won, but went backwards after that. He's difficult to handle and can blow a fuse very quickly. He's big and powerful so it's not simple and today we got him around the parade ring once, got the jockey on and luckily it didn't take too much out of him - it often does before the race. we're delighted and it was a great ride by Phillip. He was keeping better company, maybe too good, but it taught him how to race. He liked the ground and the track. We were hoping he'd do that but we were hoping before that he'd do different things. Hopefully he's developing and getting better now. He was better today than any day. I have no plans, he'll probably stay at the likes of that and will stay further in time.
'We won't rule out the Boodles' says Byrnes on his Byker
he's a lovely fine big horse, had a nice run in Limerick and came forward from that. We were hopeful today but there was so much word for a few others that we were getting worried. He was in the right place all the time and looked a winner a long way out.
Echoes In Rain books Cheltenham ticket
Echoes In Rain did it nicely, probably better than I expected. We thought we probably had the fastest horse in the race so Paul wasn't in any rush to get to the front. He was happy enough to let someone else make it. She was keen enough and probably the few runs on the Flat lit her up a bit. That's the problem you have when you mix it but with a faster run race she'll be alright. when you go up a grade, to Grade 1, I'm not sure she's sharp enough at two miles. The mares hurdle is 2m4f and maybe that's where she'll go. That would be the first port of call I'd think.
Albert Bartlett booking for Seabank Bistro
Seabank Bistro is a big immature horse. He did it nicely, jumps well and is more of a chaser I think. He'll go out in trip I'd say, maybe to three miles. He was just gawky when he got to the front and was just idling. Paul had to get after him to get up the straight but that's twice he's won around Naas and it's always a good sign when you can win on this track. I'd imagine he'll get entries in Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett and Ballymore - I'd be thinking more the Albert Bartlett at this stage.
Game success for Doyen Ta Win
I was confident I held on and I would have been disappointed if I didn't. The loose horse (Insane Bolt) definitely helped late-on but to be fair to her, she doesn't idle. She goes as hard as she can for as long as she can and wears her heart on her sleeve. She's not the easiest to manage but the one thing she does is jump. She deserved it. I was a bit worried that Naas wouldn't be the ideal front running track but to be fair she was sweet and Dec (Queally junior, assistant trainer) said she was in great form. She probably improved from her Limerick win, which was nice to get because I probably should have won on her in Wexford the first day. It makes up now getting two on her and she's a mare that you need to know. That was good after doing a low weight (10st).
Treble for Mullins in bumper finale
he did it well, making all his own running which is a hard thing to do around here. That books his ticket to go across the water if Steve Parkin (owner, Clipper Logistics Group) wants to go, which I'm sure he will. It's nice for Steve who is more associated with the Flat.
