Going - Soft to Heavy. Showers
Jackpot Pool - 2,235.91 Dividend - 131.90 Winning Units - 11.87. Placepot Pool - 29,482.14 Dividend - 84.60 Winning Units - 243.87. Days Aggregate - 224,975.83 Last Year 174,346.97
Coral River flows home in Gowran
I was worried that they were going too slow because he definitely wants a trip. He badly needed the run in Naas the last day both for fitness and experience over hurdles. The obvious thing now would be to get him right for the final in Punchestown. I don’t know what we’ll do in between, but that’s the main target.
Aspurofthemoment makes winning start to life with Cromwell
It looked like they went hard enough up front and I thought we had no chance for the majority of the race. We bought him in Goresbridge before Christmas and that’s his first run. We’re still trying to figure him out to be honest. I don’t think he was in love with the ground and, when he got him out onto the better ground up the straight, he rallied really well. He’ll definitely go further, and we’ll see what the handicapper does. It’s a great initiative to have one of these races (on a big day like this). It’s great for the owners.
Rocky's Diamond shines in Galmoy Hurdle
He’s only five, clear winded, great heart and stays forever — a brilliant horse. He has an entry in the Stayers Hurdle. He’s cool, doesn’t get overexcited so you wouldn’t rule it out. I think a better gallop would suit him, but he did well there off slow fractions. When he turned in I thought he would get swallowed up, but he’s not a slow horse either. He was a bit of a fool as a younger horse, but he’s grown and he’s matured. He does things easily at home, so it’s hard to know how good he’s going to be. He’s light-framed so we don’t kill him. Hopefully he’ll keep improving.
Nick Rockett fires home for Thyestes glory
This horse has been a fantastic servant and to win here means so much more. It gives me an inner feeling of consolement as it’s what Sadie always wanted. It would be great to have a runner in the Grand National. He’s honest, he jumps well and he stays so that’s all you can ask for in a National horse. There will be great celebrations in the area tonight as Sadie’s family are all from around here. It was a tremendous performance. For me, today was the day. You might get a chance to win one big handicap with a horse in a season and what a race to win. We’ll probably look towards a National whether it be an Irish or Aintree. When we were growing up the Thyestes was always a National trial. The weights used to come out before the Thyestes that time.
Quai De Bourbon brings up double for Mullins and Townend
He looks a real staying type. I’m very happy that he was able to do that on the ground and I’d imagine he’ll go out in trip. I’d be nominating him for the Brown Advisory, and I’d imagine he won’t run again before then. The extra distance won’t be any problem to him, and he jumps well. I’m very happy with the runner-up. He enjoyed being out in front, and I think he’s settling better over fences. Blizzard Of Oz also ran a cracker.
Cromwell at double with Dancingondaceiling
Carrigmoorna Beech sparkles in Queally's brace
It’s a very prestigious day and I was dreaming about having a double, but it very rarely happens. She has a savage pedigree and is a (half) sister to Carrigmoornaspruce (who runs in the Grade 2 mares bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival), but is a different type of mare. She’s a bit more of a three-miler down the road. She could be left off now unless it keeps raining. The Listed bumper for four-year-olds in Limerick could be a race for her. She was fit coming here but had only one grass gallop, so she’ll improve.