Going - Yielding to Soft, soft in places. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 3,228.26 Dividend - 13.80 Winning Units - 163.25. Placepot Pool - 59,211.12 Dividend - 5.80 Winning Units - 7116.91. Days Aggregate - 342,147.01 Last Year 292,552.49
Monaghan seals first winner over fences on Vaureal
Mange Tout delights connections with Grade 3 victory
She did everything wrong the last day so we said we’d drop her in, get her settled today, and see how we go. It was a good performance and I’m absolutely delighted. I said to Jack that she didn’t jump great but he said when he pulled her out and gave her a bit of room, she was very good over the last two. That’s what you want. She settled better today. She put lengths between them very quick from the last to the line. I’d imagine she’ll go to Leopardstown now. We’ll dream for another while. I’m sure there are a lot of good ones still to come out. I haven’t too many of them (juvenile hurdlers), she’s as good as we have at the moment. What she was doing at home before she ran in Down Royal was what I saw there. I didn’t see it in Down Royal, but she was very keen and did everything wrong there. She looked good today and I was very happy.
Better Times Ahead gets up in Porterstown thriller
Jumping the last I was confident, but the other horse must have been idle because when he got to him, he picked up again. It was close when they got to the line. It was great to get a pot like that with him because he’s been a bit fragile. Ger Kelly has a good bit of work done with him over the years. Touch wood he’s in good order this year and we’ve had no problems with him. He was hampered at the third-last, the horse fell in front of him, and he was shuffled back a small bit. There was a good strong gallop all the way and it helped.
Elliott and Kennedy at double with Koktail Brut
Donagh was kind of able to force me along and make my lad do a little much. To be fair to him, he was fairly tough up the straight. He actually met the last lovely but, for whatever reason, he spent a bit of time in the air. He was good and tough from the back of the last. I thought I was after getting back up. I think I got headed at one stage, but I was confident I got back up. That was great. He probably did everything wrong, Jack said he was keen enough in front. We weren’t sure if there was going to be pace in the race so we said we’d just keep it simple and go on, but Jack said he was keen enough. He was very gutsy to come back. I’d say looking at that he probably wants a bit further. I’ll talk to Michael and Eddie (O'Leary, Gigginstown House Stud) and see but we won’t say he definitely wants two-and-a-half, but he could be one to maybe keep and go to Naas (Grade 1 in January) with. The only problem is that we have so many for it, so we’ll have to see. The horses are running great so we can’t complain.
Kennedy and Elliott fire in treble via electric Romeo Coolio
Jumped brilliant, probably could have done with even going half a stride quicker the whole way around. Travelled very well and never missed a beat. He got in tight to a couple, but it was more me trying to restrain him than anything. He's as quick as lightning (jumping), he's unbelievable. He's after growing up an awful lot. He was very keen early on in his career. He's a lot simpler to ride now. Exactly (chasing is his game). That was brilliant, he was good. We always knew chasing was going to be his game and we’re absolutely thrilled. It’s just one of those days, the horses are absolutely flying and we’re absolutely delighted. Obviously, with Cheltenham you have two or three (miles). We could also come back here at Easter or go to Aintree, there are loads of options. The one thing Jack did say is that he wouldn’t be afraid to bring him back to two (miles) off a real fast pace, the way he jumps. There is no decision that needs to be made today, we’re going to enjoy it and see what happens.
Fabulous four-timer for Elliott and Kennedy as Teahupoo clings on
Jordan (Gainford on Casheldale Lad) did a wonderful job in front, he got the fractions just right. Jack said he couldn’t have gone another gear faster,. When you take a horse out of their comfort zone early in those type of races, it’s very hard. We knew we were rolling the dice coming back to two-and-a-half miles, but it just looked like the perfect starting point for him. He’s a warrior of a horse and we’re so lucky to have him. It’s great for Jack. We’re here in Fairyhouse, one of my local courses. We have a lot of friends and a lot of Meath supporters here on Meath GAA Day. It’s very important and I’m absolutely thrilled. If the ground was like it was last year, we wouldn’t have come here. He’s not a two-and-a-half miler, he’s a three mile horse — he’s slow and he’s not getting any younger. He’s got a heart like a lion and we said we’d take our chance. We wouldn’t have wanted another day's drying though. He was at the pin of his collar to go with him, even in that race. I’m getting the bounce of the ball at the moment and, another day, it will be someone else. I’ve had plenty of days where I didn’t get the bounce of the ball.
Zillow another for Ethical Diamond's owners
From Del Mar (Ethical Diamond) down to Melbourne and back up to Fairyhouse, it’s fantastic. A lot of the grandchildren are here today and it’s a tremendous win. It’s what racing is about, the social side of racing and all the family are here.
Christmas comes early for Young Rebel's connections
That was lovely. He worked here about three weeks ago and worked lovely. He bumped early in the race and she gave him a lovely ride, she’s a good girl to ride. She never gave up and rode him the whole way to the line, and he kept answering. He’s a big galloping horse, a nice horse, and I like him. There were some well-priced horses in the race and you’d be saying ‘what are you doing here?’- I’m delighted. We won this race a couple of years ago with a nice horse (Downtown Getaway in 2017). We love him at home and Crystal Ocean is a good sire.