Going - Good, good to yielding in places. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 356.85 Not Won. Carried forward to Tipperary on Saturday 9th July. Placepot Pool - 21,018.40 Dividend - 1,168.50 Winning Units - 12.59. Days Aggregate - 144,543.00 Last Year 123,699.00
McNamara makes dream start at Cork
He was a little bit clever and minded himself a small bit but has plenty ability and will improve from that. The two I fancied most are yet to come although Call Vinnie might struggle a small bit as he is up in trip. I fancied him and thought his price of 10/1 this morning was ridiculous - I thought he'd be six or seven to four. He works very well and was a 90 rated flat horse for a while - I'd say he just got a little sick of racing and wasn't in love with the game. The way he jumps he seems to mind himself a small bit but he schools very well at home. He'll progress and while he won't be a Supreme Novices horse, he could pick up a few races along the way. He could very easily go for the novice hurdle on the first day of Galway - that was the plan although I don't think Dermot Weld will be too happy! . He could also go for the amateur handicap but we'll see how he comes out of this. I rode an awful lot of winners for Dr Lambe and before I got the fall he said he'd support me when I go training. I can't thank him enough and he has a lovely bunch of six horses in my yard - I have 19 in total and only four of those were ready to run.
Native makes the breakthrough over hurdles
She is actually very consistent and nicked black-type last year and it's grand to win a maiden hurdle. She'll run again on Sunday at Sligo in a mares novice hurdle and there's a chance she could run on the flat.
Force too strong as Sublimity remembered
he is a bit quirky but has been a great old servant and had dropped to a winneable mark recently. He’ll run again at Downpatrick on Wednesday in a 0-95 - he’ll be out of that bracket afterwards. my last winner here was Sublimity (January 2011)! He’s in great form - he’s 16 now and is out for the summer now but we ride him out during the winter. He still thinks he’s a two year old and we actually sent him to the Apprentice School (RACE) but they had to send him back as they couldn’t ride him!
Icantsay springs 20/1 surprise
Eric McNamara on the mark with Fitz
She ran a blinder on her comeback run at Limerick and I thought we had her fairly right today. She has been very very consistent and is capable at this level. If she doesn't go up too much there could be another day in her and she could go back to Ballinrobe soon as she has won there in the past.
Double delight for McNamara at Cork
That's not a bit of a surprise - he came to me a few weeks ago and his point to point form seemed okay but I freshened him up a bit. He was doing everything very easily and he has just strengthened up. He has lots of toe and Finny said he's the sharpest bumper horse he has ridden. He's very classy and jumps brilliant so he is something to look forward to. He'll get a break now and see about a winners bumper later in the summer. Flush Or Bust is the one horse who let us down today - he never seemed to travel but he'll be back and win his races. I couldn't be happier with Call Vinnie - he'll go to Galway for a beginners chase. He stays too much in the air over hurdles but with fences and the right trip he'll run a big race there. I thought I'd have three (winners) to be honest - I'm not disappointed but, aside from Call Vinnie who I thought would be fourth or fifth, I thought the other three would win. I have very good owners.