Going - Yielding to Soft. Light rain
Fascile Mode takes advantage of Dream's absence
it’s great to get that job done and I was expected a good run. I was disappointed he did that (mistake) at the third last but it was his first day at school. Since he came here today he was gawking everywhere and was on his toes for some reason. He settled well in the race which was great but was having a good look at everything and I’d say he would have learned a lot. I’m very happy with him. There is a novice in Cheltenham at the November meeting or the Royal Bond but his jumping will have to sharpen up. He’s brilliant at home and has done a lot of schooling.
Banntown targets Leopardstown for a second attempt
she’s a good filly when she’s right and it’s great to get a winner. I thought she’d run well. We were disappointed the last day but we changed one or two things around and it seems to have worked. We’ll probably work back from the Paddy Mullins (Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival - in which she finished third in 2022).
Dancing Jeremy returns to winning ways
we were hoping he'd do something like that last time at Listowel but he made a mistake at the first and it was game over. It was his first run over fences for a while and he probably just took a chance at it, being a bit gassy. I'm delighted he finally got his head in front for us. We had him ready for the wrong time of the year as he wants soft ground - we tried to pick our races with him for that reason. Hopefully he'll kick on now over the winter and give a good account again. We'll see what the handicapper does with him over hurdles but his main aim will probably be back chasing.
Hercule Du Seuil completes five-timer
Lucid Dreams kept him honest the whole way and Mark (Walsh, jockey) had to change to plan B and drop him in behind. He jumped well when Mark needed him and a great performance to win five in a row. If the weather stays dry we might get another run into him and we could then give him a mid-season break and come back in the springtime. I’d rather keep him to the minimum trip if I could but he can go out to 2m4f. Mark felt maybe he didn’t want the ground as soft as it was today.
Grand National option for Gold Cup hero
Minella Indo has given us so many great days and I’m delighted to see him start his season like that. His work was really good, but it was also good before the Gold Cup and it just didn’t happen for him there. It was a messy start and it just didn’t happen for him. He jumped from fence to fence today, his ears were pricked and Rachael said he really enjoyed it. I’m also delighted that Barry (Maloney, owner) is here as well. We entered him in the north (Down Royal's Champion Chase) but that’s only a couple of weeks away, so we’ll see. We can enjoy today and decide in the next couple of weeks. the Grand National is something we can discuss. Coming here after the Gold Cup run, we couldn’t make any big plans but we’re really encouraged now for the rest of the season.
Walsh hails O'Connor as the 'best amateur in my lifetime'
Derek O’Connor is in a league of his own - I’m 73 and there has never been a better amateur in my lifetime. This horse got a great ride from Mikey O’Sullivan to win at Kilbeggan but as amateurs go, and I remember Conny Vaughan, Billy McLernon, Francis Flood and lads from my era and right though to now, there has never been a better amateur over fences than Derek O’Connor. I don’t remember Bunny Cox who was supposed to be brilliant and Philip Fenton was another brilliant amateur and Jamie Codd.
My Great Mate scores for new syndicate
it’s a nice new team of people and it was a very brave performance from the horse, having been so keen during the race. If he got beaten today I was happy to go over hurdles but we may give him a break now and come back after Christmas for another bumper. We could wait as he’s only four and keep him a novice over hurdles until next season.
