Going - Soft.
Jackpot Pool - £32,572.91 Not Won. Carried forward to Cheltenham on Wednesday 13th March. Placepot Pool - £1,312,987.83 Dividend - £91,283.90 Winning Units - 10.5. Quadpot Pool - £87,905.02 Dividend - £3,613.80 Winning Units - 18.
Klassical Dream impresses in poignant Supreme win
It was a terrific performance and he is good horse. We took a risk running him on goodish firm ground at home, but we thought he had an engine on him. We debated whether to go for the other race (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle), but when we saw this rain coming we said we would come for this race. The forecast was a big thing once we knew this ground was coming. He was well within his own cruising speed. He looks a real good one on this type of ground. He is a very good horse. We came away from his work at the Curragh last week thinking he was one that was going to take a lot of beating, no matter what he came up against.
Mullins doubles up with Duc Des Genievres in the Arkle
This rain has just come in time. I was moaning at 10am that we’d had none of what was forecast, but now it has come and it has worked the oracle, it made a huge difference to him. He won as easily as any of mine ever. Once the two horses fell going away from the stands, I was wondering why Paul moved out wide, but he must have seen something. The next thing there was a bit of a schmozzle and then he ended up in third place when I thought he was going to be out the back, and he just kept him together from there. Everything went right for him. It feels very good to win the first two races considering where I was with them two or three weeks ago, we were trying to get runs into them, but we just couldn’t. It looks like we’ve got two nice horses here, but we’ve nice ones at home that never got out. It’s fantastic to have two up at this stage, but there’s a lot more to happen over the next four days. We had a good weekend last weekend in Ireland which gave us a little bit of confidence coming here. It seems good so far, but there’s a long way to go yet, what with the weather and everything else.
The Ultima goes to Beware The Bear
That was lovely. Jeremiah McGrath gave him a lovely ride and he had a lovely time. It is nice to get one on the board as that settles everything down. We put them on (blinkers) on New Year’s Day. We’ve always made the running with him, or tried to do that. There was only six runners that day (New Year’s Day) and he got a soft lead. He normally goes up there, drops himself out and comes home with a rattle. We thought ‘let’s start where he normally puts himself’, so we started at the back and passed horses. He stayed well and he enjoyed that. He is not in the Grand National and you might wish you had put him in there now, but I would imagine we will have a look at something like the Scottish National or the bet365 at Sandown.
Espoir D'Allen dazzles in the Champion Hurdle
I’m just lost for words. It’s brilliant, unbelievable. He’s been winning Grade Threes this year, so to win this is fantastic. I’m shell-shocked to win anyway, but to win like that — I’m just lost for words. When Buveur D’Air fell, we nearly got brought down. It’s unbelievable, I’m completely lost for words.
Benie's fall hands Mares' Hurdle honours to Roksana
It is magic — we were set for second, and that happens. I think our horse would have got a lot of plaudits for finishing second. It is a tough race, and she was bang there at the last.
Blackmore off the mark at the Festival
That was fantastic. I’m really thrilled. It was a super ride from Rachael and that was her first Festival winner. I’m never brimming with confidence, but I’m delighted to get it for the Thompsons and Cheveley Park. We hoped he was better than his mark suggested. He looked tapped for toe at Punchestown the last day over two and a half. He seemed to get a fair mark so we said we would give it a go. I’m delighted for Rachael and I’m lucky to be associated with her. She is just a brilliant rider. I’m always nervous, but it is great to get a winner. I feel a bit better now than I did before the race. It would look like he would get three miles and in fairness that is what I thought after Punchestown. It was a case of this race if he got in or the RSA, but he got into this so we went this way and it has worked out.
Codd lands controversial NH Chase on Le Breuil
It was such a long race, it never ended! I had to ask my assistant Tom how many laps were left. He jumped, he travelled, it was amazing. We’ve had a winner here before (Willoughby Court), but this is just as good. Jamie is very special, he gave him a superb ride. He wanted to be handier, I think, but they went so quick. With a circuit to go I knew we had a chance as he was jumping and travelling so well. I knew he’d stay, but I didn’t think he’d stay that well. When Discorama jumped upsides I thought ‘what’s going to happen here’, but he was really gutsy. We’ve got one thing in mind for this horse and that is next year’s National, so let’s hope he gets there in one piece.
