Going - Soft, yielding to soft in places. Fine
Jackpot Pool - 746.27 Dividend - 522.40 Winning Units - .16. Partial Carry Over of 635.82 to Dundalk on Friday 14th February. Placepot Pool - 17,383.90 Dividend - 240.10 Winning Units - 50.71. Days Aggregate - 82,561.32 (8 races). Last Year 81,832.68 (7 races).
Unfortunate aftermath to Karamoja maiden win
Addragoole opens account in style at Clonmel
Ballybow Albert Bartlett bound after taking Clonmel Grade 3
To be honest if I was Sam, I’d have followed Ballygunner Castle instead of him following us, and pushed him along. They went no gallop though and it was a no-race, really so that's why he is riding them. They quickened over the last two, but the one thing I do like about our horse, from the second-last to the line - even after the last - he dropped his head and showed a good attitude. We’ll go for the Albert Bartlett now. I think the race could suit him, and he could have an each-way chance in a race like that, with a lead, coming at a few horses.
Bargain buy Apologise has Maghera lads in good voice
There is a bus load of the lads here today so I knew the pressure was on and crossing the line I definitely heard them!. He has stepped forward from Limerick so hopefully can stay going the same way. Sometimes he shifts himself to jump left over his hurdles but I got him travelling today and he went on today, which is a good thing. Myself and my father went over to Doncaster and picked him out. He had his problems but if he keeps going the right way, you'd like to think he can continue to give the boys some more fun. The lads are from a bar in Maghera back at home and to get 14 or 15 of them here today is brilliant. He has given them two good days out and owes us nothing at this stage.
Ar Nos Na Gaoithe blows her rivals away
The filly and the owner Noel Keena deserve it hugely. It is very much a family syndicate and what an amazing family from Wicklow they are. It is the first horse they have with me and they came to me last year and bought this filly cheaply. The amount of fun they have got our of her is immense and they have a second one in training now. This is a small summery little mare who runs her heart out every day. I told the owners that I didn't know which day she would win but that we'll just have to keep trying and she'd get her day. Phidelma is a massive part of the team and is very lucky for us as well. She never makes too many mistakes in those amateur or ladies' riders races and is a huge asset around the yard at home.
Mount Shenshan scores for Tom and Charlie Mullins
Charlie is a big fella so lucky to be riding at all due to his weight. When I got him to win his first bumper I thought that was my job done, as I thought he wouldn't be riding any further but he was bitten by the bug and keeps at it. Charlie likes hurling, plays indoor soccer and works hard at his weight. He gave that horse an exceptional ride as he took his time on her. She had a great run the last day when only beaten 14 lengths by Maughreen so we were hopeful coming back to a handicap, with the 7lb claim. She is well-bred, is out of a half-sister to Our Vic, is a very nice looking mare so I'm glad to get the winning bracket with her. The horses are going well and this mare could stretch to three miles.
McCann saddles first chase winner with Luminous Light
After ten years training, that's my first chase winner. I've haven't had many runners and had placed horses but I generally get a cheaper type of horse so tend to run in bumpers and over hurdles. He blew up twice the last day he ran in Fairyhouse and we knew we had him proper right for today. It took a long time to get him back to winning ways . It is brilliant for Aidan O'Brien, who is the head of the syndicate and is principal of the school (Good Counsel College) where Sean Flanagan and many other racing people attended. They have stuck by me so I'm delighted for them.
McGill completes 48/1 double on My Gaffer
He promised a lot and when we put him in big handicaps he got crowded out of them as he is small but he is a brilliant little jumper. Hopefully he won't get rated too highly now and while he won't be going to Cheltenham or anything, he could be a summer national-type of horse. We'll keep him to country tracks. He is a well-bred horse and his mother finished second in Cheltenham. Dara's brother Oran had ridden for me in the past but this was his first ride for me. I was looking for a claimer and after he won a point-to-point last Sunday, Tom Keating (winning point-to-point handler) texted me on his number. He gave the horse a great ride.