Going - Standard. Dry
Jackpot Pool - 416.34 Dividend - 291.40 Winning Units - .28. Partial Carry Over of 303.67 to Clonmel on Thursday 2nd April. Placepot Pool - 26,414.14 Dividend - 55.40 Winning Units - 333.72. Days Aggregate - 161,822.87 Last Year 137,630.07
An Laochmor doubles up in Dundalk curtain-raiser
That's two wins now for us, that's great. We were in Lingfield and had a bit of fun with him, and he won well. Funny, Oisin McSweeney said to me that he's better from behind. Colin (Keane) said to me that Siobhan (Rutledge, Bye Bye Now) will probably go to the front and that he would track her. He will (travel again) and he might even run on the grass. He's a well-handicapped horse really. A fine, big horse by BungleInthejungle and I've had a bit of luck with them.
Clonmacash gains Dundalk compensation under Coen
He doesn't always start well, but he does put his best foot forward late on. I do love that about him. He's a very solid, fun horse and he was very unlucky here with Adam (Caffrey) last month. That was a good race and Sam gets on well with him. The 5lb off certainly helped.
Stone Bear a third winner for returning Rutledge
She got on great with her and she settled. The last day she ran over seven (furlongs) which didn't suit her and she had a terrible draw on the outside. She ran just too free and didn't settle whereas today a good draw in six, bit of cover over six furlongs. In fairness to her the last day, with as free as she was, she was still there a furlong down and didn't get home. Today worked out perfectly and we were delighted when we saw the draw that she would get a bit of cover. She's progressive and she is quick and probably could get a little bit quicker. There is a race in a month's time here back to five (furlongs), three-year-old only, so we wouldn't rule that out. She likes a bit of nice ground (on turf), so we wouldn't be in any panic. We will probably come back here for that race and give five a chance. Those Kodi Bear's are quick - there was three of them in that race today. She's out of a mare by Exceed And Excel, so that is where the speed is coming from and you'd imagine with the more races she gets, she might even get a bit quicker. She's a nice little filly and is a sister to Four Blondes with a nice pedigree, so hopefully she keeps going.
Keane doubles up as Ocean's Breath lands maiden success
He was (very professional) and we are delighted for Vincent and Geraldine (Gaul). They are great supporters of the yard. We'll see how he comes out of the race and see what mark he gets - that will tell us the route he will go. He has done (gone on cut on the ground) because we were running out of time last year to get a run into him. He was a big-framed horse. He has reaped the benefit of those two runs. Colin says that he attacked that ground well and he is a very good mover.
Alto Sax back to winning ways with first all-weather success
I suppose the handicapper gave him a good oul chance there. He ran plenty over the winter and just was falling short. He's after dropping down to a nice mark now. Nicola is a great rider and she is very strong in the likes of those races, so it is great to get her. He'll have to switch to turf with the way things are. With him, I think things just have to fall his way. He's probably not one that battles and makes things happen. He'll tip away on turf.
Emmeleia leads home O'Brien 1-2 in Fillies Maiden
She's a nice filly and we thought this trip would suit her well, plenty of stamina in the pedigree. I think she has improved. They pulled well clear of the third which is a good sign. They have been working together at home, and I thought they were both working nicely. She (Eretria) was ready to run, I was eager to get a start on her on a sound surface. She will hopefully be a nice filly going forward and she'll improve plenty from that.
Sir Callisto makes all to land Dundalk nightcap under Colgan
He put it all together and it is great. He's a horse that things went wrong for a few years back. It was a lovely run the last night and he has just stepped up. More of the same for this fella on the turf. When you are working with men like Robbie Colgan and Colin Keane, it is great. Robbie is not in one of those high-profile jobs but he's an absolute top-class rider. It is great to be able to have the like of him on board. It is great for Seamus Ross (owner), a long time in the game and he deserves a bit of luck.