Going - Soft (Hurdle Track), Soft, Yielding In Places (S'chase Track). Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €32,800.86 Dividend - €2,551.10 Winning Units - 9. Placepot Pool - €81,153.09 Dividend - €396.60 Winning Units - 144.85. Pick Six Pool - €354,475.87
Slevin joins Grade 1 club after shock Tower win
He was still a maiden and it was a big call from Joseph to run him. He had won a few bumpers but it was still a massive call by Joseph and he had faith in the horse. He knows what he is dealing with and he's not afraid to have a go. He was a good bumper horse and never jumped a hurdle in Down Royal one day and then jumped better the last day here. I think he only missed the first today. To be honest we were hoping to just get some prize-money today and go back and win our maiden in a couple of weeks. It’s nice that he’s done that today, and he should be better on better ground. He picked up from the second last and galloped all the way to line. I’m delighted for JJ who does a great job for us and gave him a great ride.
Min impressive in Coral Dublin Chase
They went very fast and David elected to settle him in and it made a huge difference. We changed our tactics a bit and it worked well. I’d imagine the Champion Chase is where he will go now, and we don’t have anything else in mind. I was very disappointed with Yorkhill and Paul said he was never travelling. It’s completely back to the drawing board with him. We’ll see if anything shows up but possibly the fast pace over jumps caused him to lose his jumping method down the back. He wasn’t happy going at pace over fences.
Footpad makes all to maintain unbeaten chase record in Arkle
He did it the hard way and jumped well in front. I think he pecked a bit at the last but it was a very good performance. We didn’t set out to make it but Paul wasn’t happy that there was enough pace so he went on. We are heading for the Arkle unless something else changes. He was fourth in a Champion Hurdle but we thought he would be going two and a half miles or more over fences. The first day he jumped he was very good and when you can jump you can go any trip. Demi Sang made a hash of the first fence and lost his confidence a bit so David tried to get him back jumping and he did. It would be hard to see him competing at Grade 1 level over two miles so he’ll probably have to drop down a Grade or go out in trip. I would prefer to go out in trip but we’ll have a word with Frank (Berry) and JP (McManus) and see what they want to do.
Park provides Blackmore with first winner for Mullins
It was a very good performance and I'm delighted for Patrick (Mullins) and Paul Byrne who bought the horse from England and he looks very well bought now. He didn't cost a million or anything like that. He had won in Ireland and in England and they're all the time looking for horses that could be bargains and this is another one. I'm delighted for Rachel and it's a fantastic prize to win and she got a really good tune out of the horse down the back. You could see from the stands, he was jumping out of her hands and she was just trying to keep out of trouble. She is a fantastic rider and is one of the hardest workers in the country; she rides out for me two or three days a week and then lots of other places and is always on the go and gets results. He disappointed over hurdles the last day but we came back a mile today. He might run at Cheltenham if he gets into one of the handicap chases.
Supasundae upsets Faugheen in Champion Hurdle
I thought it would be a bit too quick for him over two miles. I only came here as a prep run for the three-mile hurdle at Cheltenham, and to win this is some prep run!. Robert was sure that when he had Faugheen in his sights at the last that he would stay every inch of the way, and he did. When he got to the front he was only pricking his ears. He’s only in the three-mile hurdle at Cheltenham so that’s where he will be going. He won over 2m5f there last year, and we ran here to try and get him jumping quick. We know he stays so that’s why we are going for the three-mile race. He jumped absolutely super today, and I’ve never seen him jump so well. He’s a much better horse on better ground and that’s why he comes into his own in the spring. He doesn’t like slogging around on heavy ground. He is by Galileo so there must be a little turn of foot in there somewhere. It’s really sad that neither Alan or Ann (Potts) are here to see the horse fulfilling his potential.
Off You Go lands valuable Coral Hurdle for Byrnes
The rise in the weights (after winning at Limerick) left him bang on and initially I didn't think he'd get into the race. He snuck in perfectly at the bottom and it worked out. I don't know what the plan is but I'll talk to Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) and see. He's still only a baby and I'd say he'll only have one or two more runs before the end of the season. He probably wouldn't even get into the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and while I doubt he'll go to Cheltenham, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle could still be a possibility. Mark (Enright) is very lucky for me and while I don't give him many rides, anything I put him up on wins most of the time. Dromlease Express won this race 14 years ago and that was a good day as well!
Blackbow seals 89/1 four-timer for Mullins
Patrick said he travelled very sweetly the whole way and thought he was idling in front in the last furlong. He has improved hugely from his last run and I'd imagine all roads lead across (to Cheltenham). He was bought in Aintree as an English point to point winner and is by the right horse in Stowaway, which we've been lucky with in Cheltenham. He is owned by the family of Archie O'Leary (Florida Pearl).
