Going - Yielding. Fine
Jackpot Pool - €45,890.00 Dividend - €501.90 Winning Units - 64. Placepot Pool - €46,947.68 Dividend - €47.20 Winning Units - 689.49. Pick Six Pool - €100,000.00 Dividend - €1,944.40 Winning Units - 36. Days Aggregate - €719,166.00 Last Year €770,259.00
Meri Devie shows her class on Irish debut
She was very impressive. On that performance I think she looks a Triumph horse but she could go for the mares' novice also. At the moment I’d be looking at the Triumph as we don’t have too many in that department. That’s where I’d be trying to put her anyway. We think she’ll improve hugely. She was very, very green in all the schooling we did with her at home. We got a nice lead in the race the whole away until the last when she was in front. I just said to Ruby 'make up your own mind after you turn in, if you are lucky enough to be in a position, whether you try and go on at the last or get a lead over it'. He did what he did and she did it well. She had been very, very green at home and is learning at the time. I think she’ll get better.
Walsh and Mullins enjoy double Bacardys
It was a good run from the two of them. Bacardys twisted a shoe on the way to the track so we were worried if he would get to run at all. My lads had his foot in a bucket of ice all morning here at the track and then the blacksmith switched the shoe. He seemed okay but we were wondering when he went to jump on it would he feel it. I suppose the adrenaline kicked in and he seemed fine. Kolumbus ran a really good race also and the two of them probably prefer that better ground. They could both go out in trip. We’ll find another novice for Bacardys somewhere. I have no plans yet.
Saturnas a Grade One star in Foxrock
He did it the hard way. We knew there was going to be a good pace. We weren’t afraid to make it but anyway we weren’t allowed. He jumped and galloped and he has lots of stamina. You can depend on his jumping and that’s what keeps him in the race. Stamina then won it for him. He'll probably come back here for the Deloitte. Ruby’s (Riven Light) just wasn’t jumping behind but I think that horse ran a cracker and if we can get his jumping right he could be a force. It was good for my owner (Nick Peacock). I think he is just back from two or three months holidays. I thought he maybe just met Airlie Beach on a good day in Fairyhouse. Certainly today I felt he travelled a lot better the whole way. It’s also fantastic for Paul to get a Grade One winner. It’s not often Ruby picks the wrong one. I’m delighted for Paul.
Walsh strikes again with Wrap
It was incredible and an extraordinary ride from Ruby,. I’ve seen horses coming from there before in Leopardstown but when it’s yours you’re doubting it. Jumping the last my heart was in my mouth. Ruby is a genius. He nearly left it too late - but he didn’t. He’s a right old horse. He’s a big horse and chasing will be his game. He’s progressive. He might come back for the Coral.ie Hurdle. JP will probably have about half the field in it!
Noble Endeavor one for the punters
We were hitting the crossbar all week but they are running well. They are not second last though and it’s better to be second than second last. That’s brilliant for Chris Jones. He’s been a big supporter of the yard and I’m delighted to be able to repay him with a nice winner like this. Chris invests an awful lot of money into Irish racing and is one of the main men here at Leopardstown so this is a special day for him and his family. These are the lads that deserve it so it’s great. We were probably a bit further back than we wanted to be early but they went some gallop. We’ve been second in it a few times so it’s nice to win it. Davy has ridden a lot of winners for us over the years but this has to be bang up there. I thought himself and Ucello Conti were the two picks and the ground was just a bit too quick for Ucello but he ran well. It’s a nice race to win. We needed it but they are running well so we are happy. I suppose the Irish National now would be the plan.
Ballyward impresses for five-star Mullins
He gallops all day. He probably showed us a bit more speed than he shows us at home. He stays all day. We’ll probably go for a winners' bumpers somewhere with him and keep him for novice hurdling next year. I’d say he wouldn’t have any problem going back to two miles on softer ground. Today is probably very good ground and that’s why we ran over two-and-a-half. I think with his pedigree once we get into proper winter ground he will be very competitive over two miles.
