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Cheltenham 2025
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- Cheltenham
- Road To Riches (IRE)
Road To Riches (IRE) 18yo b g 12th Jun 2007
Track Horse
Track Horse
Road To Riches (IRE) b g 12th Jun 2007
Last Win
Carlisle Sun, 17th Mar, 19 2/7Fav, Mr D Maxwell
(2163 days)
Last Run
Ballyragget Sun, 15th Mar, 20
6th, , Ms S Woods
D.M. Christie
(1799 days)
- Form
- Entries
- Sales
- News
- Quotes
- Related To
Lifetime
Runs
Wins
Places
Win %
Earnings
Level Stk
Hurdle IRE
4
2
0
50%
€27,600
-1.43
Chase IRE
25
6
7
24%
€459,100
8.87
NHF IRE
1
1
0
100%
€7,000
0.62
Hurdle GB
1
0
0
0%
0
-1.00
Chase GB
8
1
6
12%
£132,617
-6.71
PtoP
3
1
0
Under Rules Total
39
10
13
26%
0.33
Form Figures
F1111-8613P-4121211-331-232FP28-5090-P667-213P22-6/
Form Timeline
Form Figures - F1111-8613P-4121211-331-232FP28-5090-P667-213P22-6/
Date Course Conditions
Race Result
Jockey
Class
n
MorningSP
15Mar20 Bal 24f Soft to Heavy Point to Point
12-26th of 7, 26.25L behind Reigning Supreme
Ms S Woods
Change of Trainer Noel Meade to D M Christie
Sep 2018
September Hit Sale (Goffs UK)
Gigginstown House
Purchaser: David Christie Bloodstock
£35,000
Lots Sold: 190
Prices
Avg: £10,873
Median: £7,250
Maximum: £65,000
28Dec14 Leo 24f Soft 5y+ S(150K)
11-10[4/1]1st of 9, 1.5L to On His Own
B J Cooper
Rated 167
13/24/1
Change of Trainer Noel Meade
Handler M.O. Cullinane
Aug 2011
August National Hunt Sale (Tattersalls (Ireland))
Knightsbrook
Purchaser: Lot Withdrawn
Lots Sold: 343
Prices
Avg: €4,931
Median: €2,800
Maximum: €44,000
Jun 2011
Derby Sale (Tattersalls (Ireland))
Knightsbrook
Purchaser: Lot Withdrawn
Lots Sold: 328
Prices
Avg: €31,771
Median: €22,000
Maximum: €340,000
Symbols Explained
ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run srMentioned in Stewards Report in Results bbvBroke Blood Vessel
The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.
Date Course
Conditions
Race
Jockey Weight
OR
Class
Date
Sale
Consignor
Purchaser
Price
Sep 2018
September Hit Sale (Goffs UK)
Gigginstown House
Purchaser: David Christie Bloodstock
£35,000
Lots Sold: 190
Prices
Avg: £10,873
Median: £7,250
Maximum: £65,000
Aug 2011
August National Hunt Sale (Tattersalls (Ireland))
Knightsbrook
Purchaser: Lot Withdrawn
Lots Sold: 343
Prices
Avg: €4,931
Median: €2,800
Maximum: €44,000
Jun 2011
Derby Sale (Tattersalls (Ireland))
Knightsbrook
Purchaser: Lot Withdrawn
Lots Sold: 328
Prices
Avg: €31,771
Median: €22,000
Maximum: €340,000
Reports in which Road To Riches (IRE) was mentioned
Farclas and Mr Adjudicator clash again
The RYBO Handicap Hurdle is the most valuable contest on the third and final day of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse. Tue 23rd Apr
Peregrine turned out again quickly at Down Royal
Fri 31st Aug
No change in Galway going
There were 2mm of rain overnight at Galway so the ground hasn't altered for day three of the festival. It's good (National Hunt), yielding (Flat) for TheTote.com Galway Plate Day. Wed 02nd Aug
Review leopardstown 12th Feb
Sizing John came out on top in a pulsating renewal of the Stan James Irish Gold Cup at LeopardstownSun 12th Feb
Anticipation builds for the Lexus
Djakadam and former stable companion Valseur Lido lock horns in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Wednesday. Wed 28th Dec
Review gowran park 1st Oct
Ballycasey galloped his rivals into submission in the Grade Two PWC Champion Chase at Gowran ParkSat 01st Oct
Mullins wins first 'battle' with O'Leary
Willie Mullins has won the first ‘battle of the superpowers’ between himself and Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud at Gowran today, following the pair’s recent business split, as the Champion Trainer’s Ballycasey won the featured Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at the expense of a trio of ‘2-3-4’ finishers for Champion Owner O’Leary. Sat 01st Oct
Lord Scoundrel wins Galway Plate
Leading trainers Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins dominated the finish to a thrilling TheTote.com Galway Plate at Galway today, with Gold Cup winner Elliott winning with the Gigginstown House Stud owned Lord Scoundrel, under conditional jockey Donagh Meyler. Wed 27th Jul
Meade seeking Galway Plate Riches
Noel Meade reports Road To Riches in tip-top shape ahead of a bid to recapture his crown in the TheTote.com Galway Plate at Ballybrit on Wednesday. Wed 27th Jul
Review punchestown 27th Apr
Carlingford Lough (12-1) sprung yet another surprise in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold CupWed 27th Apr
Carlingford Lough wins PunchestownGoldCup
Owner J.P.McManus, retained jockey Barry Geraghty and trainer John Kiely secured another big race success with Carlingford Lough today as the dual Irish Gold Cup winner added Punchestown's Gold Cup, to the gelding's list of honours. Wed 27th Apr
Review navan 2nd Apr
Smashing (9-4) claimed the scalp of Road To Riches in the Webster Cup Chase at NavanSat 02nd Apr
Smashing performance in Webster Cup
After disappointing in Cheltenham, Smashing bounced back to form to land the feature at Navan today, the Grade 2 Webster Cup. Sat 02nd Apr
Vautour shines in Ryanair
Willie Mullins insisted he had no regrets after his controversial decision to switch targets with Vautour paid off with another stunning display in the Ryanair Chase. Thu 17th Mar
Connections hoping Vautour can shine again
Connections of Vautour are hoping the recent improvement in his home work will be good enough to win the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon. Thu 17th Mar
Road To Riches heads down Ryanair path
Road To Riches joins Vautour in swerving the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in favour of a tilt at the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday. Tue 15th Mar
Big guns stand ground in Gold Cup
Don Cossack, Vautour and Cue Card all feature among 14 horses still in contention for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday at the six-day entry stage. Sat 12th Mar
Gold Cup fancies keep Ryanair option
Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders Vautour, Valseur Lido and Road To Riches are among 23 six-day acceptors for Thursday's Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Fri 11th MarMeade wants Riches in Gold Cup
Noel Meade is adamant Road To Riches should run in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week. Mon 07th Mar
Poli favourite to get Cooper vote
Bookmakers expect Bryan Cooper to side with Don Poli over Don Cossack in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fri 04th Mar
Meade has Riches ready for Cheltenham
Noel Meade is concentrating on getting Road To Riches ready for Cheltenham, irrespective of his Festival target. Wed 02nd Mar
Elliott unsure what Cooper will ride in G'Cup
Gordon Elliott would not be shocked if Bryan Cooper decided against riding Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Don Cossack in favour of one of the other Gigginstown House Stud-owned runners. Tue 01st Mar
Cossack all systems go for Gold
Gordon Elliott feels the track at Cheltenham holds no fears for his Timico Gold Cup hope Don Cossack despite two fruitless visits so far. Wed 24th FebIrish retain strong hand in Gold Cup
Don Cossack and Vautour are among 21 horses still in contention for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest scratchings deadline for the six non-novice Grade One events at the Festival. Thu 18th Feb
Riches in good form after Leopardstown
Noel Meade reports Road To Riches to have recovered well from his run in the Irish Gold Cup before all eyes turn on Cheltenham. Mon 15th Feb
World Hurdle bound Falcon takes the Boyne
Dedigout's bid to add to his 2015 gains in the Boyne Hurdle fell flat as he could only manage last of the three in the Ladbrokes Ireland-backed two mile five furlong event. Always a man to be reckoned with at Navan, Noel Meade provided the winner with the Sean Flanagan-ridden Snow Falcon in the Grade 2 heat. Sun 14th FebGigginstown Gold Cup plans fluid
Racing manager Eddie O'Leary insists no decisions will be made until Festival week on which horses represent Gigginstown House Stud in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup. Wed 10th FebMeade keen on Gold Cup for Riches
Noel Meade is keen for Road To Riches to have another crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup - despite his eclipse at Leopardstown on Saturday. Mon 08th Feb
Review leopardstown 6th Feb
Carlingford Lough came from last to first to land the Irish Gold Cup at LeopardstownSat 06th Feb
Carlingford claims dramatic Gold Cup
Carlingford Lough recorded a remarkable win in the Irish Gold Cup, coming from last to first to claim the prestigious prize for the second year in-a-row. Sat 06th Feb
Sir Des bidding to bounce back to form
Gigginstown House Stud have assembled a five-strong team for the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday. Sat 06th Feb
Riches continues preparation
Noel Meade has taken Road To Riches for a racecourse gallop at Fairyhouse as he builds up his work ahead of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 6. Wed 27th Jan
48 in Ryanair contention
Vautour is the star name among a bumper 48 entries for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday, March 17. Thu 14th Jan
Mullins Enters Eight In Gold Cup
Irish trainers are responsible for well over half of the 32 entries in the Grade One Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Britain's richest non-handicap chase worth a record £575,000 and the highlight on the fourth and final day of The Festival, Friday, March 18. Wed 13th Jan
Review clonmel 12th Nov
Class told in the testing conditions as Road To Riches returned with success in the Clonmel Oil ChaseThu 12th Nov
Riches claims Clonmel Oil in style
Road To Riches stormed clear in the closing stages to make an impressive return to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase this afternoon. Thu 12th Nov
Review punchestown 29th Apr
Don Cossack capped a brilliant campaign with an emphatic victory in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold CupWed 29th Apr
Don takes the Gold
The big players came to the fore in a marvellous renewal of the Grade 1 Bibby Financial Services Punchestown Gold Cup and Gordon Elliott's Don Cossack continues to fulfil his tremendous potential as he added to his Aintree gains, this time under Paul Carberry. Wed 29th Apr
Ricci delighted with Djak run
It was a case of so near yet so far for owner Rich Ricci in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after his Djakadam had to settle for second behind Coneygree. Fri 13th Mar
Coneygree lands Gold Cup
Coneygree became the first novice to strike for 41 years when making most of the running in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fri 13th MarMeade dreaming of Gold Riches
Noel Meade hopes Road To Riches can continue his meteoric rise up the chasing ranks when he tackles the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fri 13th Mar
Big field set for Gold Cup
All 18 horses have stood their ground following the final declaration stage for Friday's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Wed 11th Mar
18 still in Gold Cup mix
There were no notable defections at the latest confirmation stage for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Silviniaco Conti topping the 18 horses still in contention for the Festival feature. Sat 07th Mar
O'Leary feels Lough big threat for Gold
Connections of Road to Riches believe fellow Irish challenger Carlingford Lough could be the one to beat in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Tue 03rd Mar
Sizing team to make late call
Henry de Bromhead is no nearer to deciding whether to let Sizing Europe return to Cheltenham for another tilt at the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Mon 02nd Mar
Cooper looking forward to Cheltenham
Bryan Cooper rates Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Road To Riches as one of his best mounts as this year's Festival approaches. Mon 02nd Mar
High hopes for Meade Festival team
Noel Meade could not be happier with the small but select string of horses he is preparing to send to the Cheltenham Festival in a little over a week's time. Sun 01st MarMeade issues Cheltenham update
Speaking following the win of his Heck Thomas at Leopardstown today, trainer Noel Meade gave an update on his Cheltenham team. Sat 28th Feb
Meade respectful of Silviniaco's chance
Noel Meade is fearful of Silviniaco Conti when Road To Riches goes for gold at the Cheltenham Festival next month. Thu 26th Feb
Harrington hoping for Festival Turn
Jessica Harrington believes Galway Plate runner-up Burn And Turn holds strong claims in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at the Cheltenham Festival. Fri 20th Feb
Racecourse workout for Riches
Road To Riches is set to have a workout at the weekend as his preparation for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup reaches fever pitch. Thu 19th Feb
JLT target for Apache
Noel Meade has confirmed the JLT Novices' Chase as the intended Cheltenham Festival target for Apache Stronghold following his thrilling triumph at Leopardstown on Sunday. Wed 11th Feb
Connell mulling Fox decision
Owner Barry Connell will decide whether to supplement Foxrock for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in the next fortnight. Mon 09th Feb
On His Own Cheltenham-bound
Willie Mullins feels On His Own deserves another crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his sterling display in the Lexus Chase. Mon 29th Dec
Review leopardstown 28th Dec
Road To Riches capped a great day for Bryan Cooper in the Gigginstown House Stud colours as he landed a thrilling renewal of the Lexus Chase at LeopardstownSun 28th Dec
Road To Riches wins the Lexus
Road To Riches continued his excellent season as he added the Grade 1 Lexus Chase to wins in the Galway Plate and JNwine.com Champion Chase. Sun 28th Dec
Review down royal 1st Nov
Galway Plate hero Road To Riches proved himself capable of making a mark at Grade One level with a resounding victory in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down RoyalSat 01st Nov
Doubles for Carberry/Elliott with 31L winner
Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Paul Carberry combined for the second legs of doubles for the pair when Vasco Du Mee landed the Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase at Down Royal today. Sat 01st Nov
Cossack enters King George/Gold Cup picture
Bryan Cooper gained a measure of compensation for opting to ride the wrong horse in the Grade 1 JN Wine Chase at Down Royal today when steering the Gordon Elliott trained Don Cossack to Grade 2 victory in the subsequent three runner Powers Irish Whiskey Chase. Sat 01st NovRoad To Riches wins JN Wine Chase
Forty year old Paul Carberry rolled back the years with a second career win in the featured JNwine.com Champion Steeplechase at Down Royal today, steering Road To Riches to Grade 1 glory for his long time employer Noel Meade. Sat 01st Nov
Review gowran park 4th Oct
Popular veteran Sizing Europe lit up Gowran Park as he landed his fourth consecutive PWC Champion Chase in a thrilling finishSat 04th Oct
No slip-ups from Benemeade this time
Noel Meade’s Road To Riches may have been outgunned by Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Europe in the featured PWC Champion Chase at Gowran, but the trainer got a modicum of compensation when his Benemeade pipped de Bromhead’s Clonbanan Lad in the beginners’ chase. Sat 04th Oct
Sizing Europe just magical in Gowran
Sizing Europe showed he still has plenty of ability in his locker as the veteran 12-year-old produced a very game performance to get his head in front close home in the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park. Sat 04th Oct
Going reports
The going at Gowran Park is Yielding, Good to Yielding in places following 36mm of rain since 2pm yesterday. The forecast is for a mainly dry and breezy day. Sat 04th Oct
Burke excited to have Sizing Europe ride
Johnny Burke is still pinching himself after being given the opportunity to ride Sizing Europe for the first time in competitive action in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park. Sat 04th OctReview galway 30th Jul
Road To Riches jumped his rivals silly in thetote.com Galway Plate to a cap a brilliant day for Shane ShortallWed 30th Jul
Road To Riches takes the Plate in style
Started off by local handler Martin Cullinane and now with Noel Meade, like the brilliant hurdler Go Native before him, the Shane Shortall-ridden Road To Riches (14/1) gave Noel Meade his first winner in the big event when he landed the Thetote.com Galway Plate. Wed 30th Jul
Review punchestown 2nd May
Jezki lit up another amazing day for Jessie Harrington as he stamped his class on the Racing Post Champion Hurdle at Punchestown to complete a treble for the yardFri 02nd May
Harrington Operating at full tilt
There were high aspirations held out for Operating earlier in his career. Now with the Jessica Harrington string at the peak of their powers and the ground riding on top, the Milan gelding made it back to back wins when landing a big success under Robbie Power in the Aon Novice Handicap Chase at Punchestown. Fri 02nd May
Review fairyhouse 20th Apr
Rebel Fitz landed his first success at Grade One level when coming out best in an eventful renewal of the Powers Gold Cup at FairyhouseSun 20th Apr
Meade and Carberry on Road To Riches
Paul Carberry switched to Road To Riches when Ned Buntline was ruled out of Fairyhouse’s novice chase and the move paid off for him as he made all on Noel Meade’s horse. Sun 20th Apr
Djakadam a natural in Killiney
The Paul Townend-ridden, Mrs Susannah Ricci-owned Djakadam had his trainer Willie Mullins excited after he landed the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown. Sat 25th Jan
Don shows his true colours in the Drinmore
Don Cossack answered his critics in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase as he posted a battling victory under Davy Russell (had a nose bleed afterwards and missed the ride on Fantastic Gold in the next). Sun 01st Dec
Review naas 9th Nov
Diakali opened his new campaign with a ready front-running victory in the feature Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas on a day when Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh landed a treble togetherSat 09th Nov
Riches gets back on track with chase win
The Noel Meade trained Road To Riches bounced back to form with a win on his chase debut in the Naas Annual Membership Beginners Chase at Naas today. Sat 09th Nov
Four in-a-row for Road To Riches
Despite blundering badly at the last, Road To Riches recovered to land the odds and maintain his unbeaten record in the Grade 3 Cork Stayer Novice Hurdle over three miles. Sun 09th Dec
Pride Of The Parish different class
Pride Of The Parish made all under Patrick Mullins and sauntered home clear in the opening two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown. Sun 09th Dec
Review punchestown 18th Nov
Hurricane Fly was the highlight of a treble for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh at PunchestownSun 18th Nov
It's certainly a Road To Riches ahead
Defeat wasn’t considered an option for odds on favourite Road To Riches in the opening two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown as on-course punters backed him down to 1/6 from an opening show of 1/3. Sun 18th NovRoad To Riches well named
“He cost a good few quid,” Noel Meade said of Naas bumper winner Road To Riches after he impressed at Naas. Sun 21st Oct
After race at Clonmel Thu, 12th Nov, 2015 (1st) 
“I don't usually sweat about runners but I couldn't sleep last night,â€
Noel Meade
“I don't usually sweat about runners but I couldn't sleep last night,â€
Noel Meade
After race at Leopardstown Sun, 28th Dec, 2014 (1st)
I'm thrilled. Things didn't go quite to plan as we thought we'd be able to make it. He was getting hassled up front early on but it worked out well in the end. We knew he was in great shape and he's been improving all the time since Punchestown. The way he came home I'd imagine it's all systems go for Cheltenham. You'd say he'd get the trip. He really stuck on well there. Bryan said they went very quick and if he had been up there he would have been going too quick. He stayed on really well and I'd say going further wouldn't bother him. I'll have to talk to Michael and Eddie. I don't know if he'll run again but obviously we're hoping to go to Cheltenham. We did the same with him that we did after Punchestown and left him off. It was never the plan to run at Gowran and he was a bit of work short. We learned a lesson there. Bryan rode him work in Navan last week and was delighted with him.
Noel Meade
I'm thrilled. Things didn't go quite to plan as we thought we'd be able to make it. He was getting hassled up front early on but it worked out well in the end. We knew he was in great shape and he's been improving all the time since Punchestown. The way he came home I'd imagine it's all systems go for Cheltenham. You'd say he'd get the trip. He really stuck on well there. Bryan said they went very quick and if he had been up there he would have been going too quick. He stayed on really well and I'd say going further wouldn't bother him. I'll have to talk to Michael and Eddie. I don't know if he'll run again but obviously we're hoping to go to Cheltenham. We did the same with him that we did after Punchestown and left him off. It was never the plan to run at Gowran and he was a bit of work short. We learned a lesson there. Bryan rode him work in Navan last week and was delighted with him.
Noel Meade
After race at Down Royal Sat, 1st Nov, 2014 (1st)
that's terrific, everything went a dream. They left him alone in front and he had a couple of great jumps up the back which stretched them. This was always the plan; he was a bit undercooked going to Gowran and is still slightly heavy today - five or six kilos 'over' from Galway. He's a good horse and I'll probably leave him now until Christmas where we'll go to the Lexus if it's not too heavy. I'd love to go for the Gold Cup, but there's more things to be done and he's not going to have his next run in the Gold Cup.
Noel Meade
that's terrific, everything went a dream. They left him alone in front and he had a couple of great jumps up the back which stretched them. This was always the plan; he was a bit undercooked going to Gowran and is still slightly heavy today - five or six kilos 'over' from Galway. He's a good horse and I'll probably leave him now until Christmas where we'll go to the Lexus if it's not too heavy. I'd love to go for the Gold Cup, but there's more things to be done and he's not going to have his next run in the Gold Cup.
Noel Meade
After race at Galway Wed, 30th Jul, 2014 (1st)
This was Eddie's (O'Leary) plan. I thought he'd have top-weight if he came here and I was delighted to see Kid Cassidy (top-weight, unfortunately a fatality in the race) in. Willie (Mullins) was behind me when they started up the hill and he clapped me on the back. At that stage I wondered did he have a lead-cloth on him at all he was winning so easy. He was out of all the trouble the whole way and with Shane it's obviously a case of an old head on young shoulders. Michael (O'Leary) is not here but I'm sure he's watching in. They've had the third too in Willie's Balnaslow. Jonathan Burke, another young man going places, was on him. Being by Gamut, and Gamut is by Spectrum, most of them want good ground. Probably that's the key to him and he does want to come into a race fresh. He jumped brilliant. He went a fair gallop but he was always comfortable. He jumped so well he gave himself a chance, and every fence was a help to him. I think that was Shane's first ride for me. Ger (Fox) would have been riding him put for breaking his collarbone (at Wexford last Friday) but that's racing. We bought him off Martin Cullinane who only trains about six miles from here. That's the only one of the big races (at Galway) that I hadn't won. I've been second in it I think three or four times. I'm absolutely thrilled as the Plate is something you want to win.
Noel Meade
This was Eddie's (O'Leary) plan. I thought he'd have top-weight if he came here and I was delighted to see Kid Cassidy (top-weight, unfortunately a fatality in the race) in. Willie (Mullins) was behind me when they started up the hill and he clapped me on the back. At that stage I wondered did he have a lead-cloth on him at all he was winning so easy. He was out of all the trouble the whole way and with Shane it's obviously a case of an old head on young shoulders. Michael (O'Leary) is not here but I'm sure he's watching in. They've had the third too in Willie's Balnaslow. Jonathan Burke, another young man going places, was on him. Being by Gamut, and Gamut is by Spectrum, most of them want good ground. Probably that's the key to him and he does want to come into a race fresh. He jumped brilliant. He went a fair gallop but he was always comfortable. He jumped so well he gave himself a chance, and every fence was a help to him. I think that was Shane's first ride for me. Ger (Fox) would have been riding him put for breaking his collarbone (at Wexford last Friday) but that's racing. We bought him off Martin Cullinane who only trains about six miles from here. That's the only one of the big races (at Galway) that I hadn't won. I've been second in it I think three or four times. I'm absolutely thrilled as the Plate is something you want to win.
Noel Meade
After race at Naas Sat, 9th Nov, 2013 (1st)
I was worried after the way he finished up last season and we've changed things a bit. The main thing is I'm trying to keep him fresh and you probably won't see him too often. He just wasn't right after he won in Cork last season but he is some leaper and maybe that trip (2m3f) is more what he wants than three miles. I was pleased with the way he quickened between the last two fences and Davy said he didn't have to ask him to jump - he just did it.
Noel Meade
I was worried after the way he finished up last season and we've changed things a bit. The main thing is I'm trying to keep him fresh and you probably won't see him too often. He just wasn't right after he won in Cork last season but he is some leaper and maybe that trip (2m3f) is more what he wants than three miles. I was pleased with the way he quickened between the last two fences and Davy said he didn't have to ask him to jump - he just did it.
Noel Meade
After race at Cork Sun, 9th Dec, 2012 (1st)
Paul said he was a bit free early on and when he dropped him back he became almost too relaxed. It was a bit uncharacteristic to see him making a mistake. He got lit up beforehand when he was battling him. He did what we came here to do. He's a a chaser in the making for next season and now we know he stays three miles. The Dorans Pride Hurdle at Limerick might be a possibility. There's a race in Naas in January as well.
Noel Meade
Paul said he was a bit free early on and when he dropped him back he became almost too relaxed. It was a bit uncharacteristic to see him making a mistake. He got lit up beforehand when he was battling him. He did what we came here to do. He's a a chaser in the making for next season and now we know he stays three miles. The Dorans Pride Hurdle at Limerick might be a possibility. There's a race in Naas in January as well.
Noel Meade
After race at Punchestown Sun, 18th Nov, 2012 (1st)
He did what we hoped he would do. Davy let him roll along as he was jumping so well and he didn't want to take him back. All going well he'll go for the Grade 1 novice hurdle at Navan next month. He's a horse that will always want two and a half miles and further. We probably won't see the best of him until he goes over fences next season. I'd say he would be slightly better on better ground as he's such a lovely mover.
Noel Meade
He did what we hoped he would do. Davy let him roll along as he was jumping so well and he didn't want to take him back. All going well he'll go for the Grade 1 novice hurdle at Navan next month. He's a horse that will always want two and a half miles and further. We probably won't see the best of him until he goes over fences next season. I'd say he would be slightly better on better ground as he's such a lovely mover.
Noel Meade
Related by Dam Bellora (IRE)
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