Going - Heavy. Overcast and showery
Jackpot Pool - €5,342.75 Dividend - €1,869.90 Winning Units - 2. Placepot Pool - €25,179.04 Dividend - €91.00 Winning Units - 193.57. Pick Six Pool - €25,000.00 Dividend - €17,500.00 Winning Units - 1. Days Aggregate - €167,392.00 (8 races). Last Year €91,660.00 (7 races).
Well-backed Germany lands the opener
He was entitled to be there or thereabouts on his Thurles run. He won well but I don't know how good of a race it was. We won't be over ambitious but he'll have to step up now. It won't be this side of the New Year. The nice thing was that he looked like he wanted it and he's a real terrier of a horse. He's on the road to try and emulate his three-parts brother (Captain Cee Bee). He's very well related and shows the right attitude so we'll keep our fingers crossed. He'll probably get further but there is no need to at the moment when we don't have to, especially in that ground.
Dixie brings up a century for Elliott
She's not a bad mare. She wasn't right in Galway and is only after coming right in the last fortnight. There is a bit of improvement in her. She wants that two-and-a-half. I don't think she'd come back in trip and if anything she would go further. Bryan said it was a messy old race. They went no gallop and there were horses in on top of her. When she did run at the last at speed she winged it. I wanted to get her settled today as she was a bit keen in Galway.
Felix does it again in the Hilly Way
He had the form in the book and had a good run in Clonmel. He finished off last season in style (winning a Grade 1 at Punchestown). I wanted to come with one run in that ground. He's not short of speed. He was very good considering it wasn't his ground. Ruby kept him for one run. He's always had a little bit of class and showed it today. I'd imagine Christmas will come too soon for him and we'll look for a two-mile or two-and-a-half mile race in the New Year. I doubt that he would go to England. We'll try and keep him at home and earn his feed.
Wild provides Harty with 38/1 double
Realistically we were running to try and get a place. She jumped fantastic today. I thought she was overpriced as it was a hell of a beginners chase in Naas that she was fourth in and I thought she would have won in Clonmel when she fell. She ran a good race behind Killer Miller and Bonny Kate in Naas and I thought she was entitled to come here at least for place money. The only mistake she made was at the last and it was lucky she had the revs up and could find a leg. I thought then we might not get the black-type but we ended up getting the big one!. Adrian said to up her in trip and keep to that grade. Two-and-a-half is her trip and she goes in that ground. I rode for Bobby (Bobby Guiry, winning owner) nearly 40 years ago and he bred some really good horses in the past that he used to send to my father to get some form before selling.
Mooneys land a touch with Augher Castle
I thought he might not get through the ground as it was very deep and heavy. He was in good form coming here and we were hoping for a good run. Number 13 was lucky for us. He could run at Limerick over Christmas. He's a tough little horse. That's Helen's first winner for me. She rode a few winners for Dessie Hughes and a few point-to-point winners. That would be her first winner over hurdles. That can be her Christmas present!
Black completes double for connections
He did that nicely. He jumped well and I particularly liked the way he quickened after he saw Danny on his tail. He gave him a squeeze after the second last and he quickened. He won't go anywhere over Christmas. There is a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in January that's a possibility. He needs more match practice and hopefully keeps improving. I'd say he'll be an RSA horse but we want to get a couple of runs into him before Cheltenham. Sambremont ran a cracker and I'd imagine he's coming into four-mile territory. He's a real staying chaser.
Elliott doubles-up as Exit wins easily
Jack gave him a good ride taking the five pound off. It wasn't a wonderful race and we'll try and find another handicap for him over Christmas.
Avenir makes it 3 for Mullins & Gigginstown
That was good. I was fairly disappointed coming home from Punchestown the last day. He got injured last year and I was probably a bit too easy on him. I thought with the ability he had he only needed to be three quarters ready but in that ground they have to be ready. He'll stay in bumpers. We'll try and find a winners race and then, if we can, find a third one before he goes novice hurdling next year. We thought he was top drawer with what he was doing at home.
