Going - Good. Fine and warm
Jackpot Pool - €831.57 Not Won. Carried forward to Gowran Park on Wednesday 10th August. Placepot Pool - €28,390.57 Dividend - €341.20 Winning Units - 58.29. Days Aggregate - €144,819.49 (7 races). Last Year €114,624.98 (8 races).
Ardamir rewards Keogh's homework
A nice bit of business there by Peter Keogh who owns him and claimed him last year. He worked in the bookmaking industry in Malta for a good while and knows his figures. He rides out this horse, and one other, every morning before he goes to his day job and he's a big part of the operation at home. Obviously the yard is in ripping form. The 66/1 second the other night (Florey Spud at Wexford) was a bit embarrassing but we'll take it anyway!. I'm delighted for Peter and Paul Costello who has come in on the horse lately. We don't really want to lose him but, if he is claimed, so be it.
Surac takes to hurdles in Ballinrobe
It's lovely to have that winner and to have the support of those owners. A big thank you to Anthony Bromley who put me in connection with them. I have two horses for Mr Munir and Mr Souede and they're lovely people to train for. Danny had come down to school him and was great on him. He's a really sweet little horse and is very straightforward. He will win races on the Flat in his turn but he seemed to enjoy that. He jumped very well and was quick at several of them. That ground was as quick as he'd want it and he'd handle really testing ground which will open up options for him.
Mullins doubles up on Nos Na Gaoithe
It was a good performance. She'd hit the crossbar over hurdles already but has always run well. Her jumping was fine for the most part. I'd say the odd one I missed was probably due to being on her own in front. If I'd had company, she would have been perfect. She handled the ground this evening which is fairly lively out there. Hopefully she'll build on that and find a nice novice (hurdle) somewhere in the autumn.
King 'cool as a breeze' in riding first winner over flights
That's Dan's first winner over hurdles and I'm delighted for him. He's as cool as a breeze. I had said to be third or fourth but they were obviously flying, so he used his head and didn't panic. He never left the rail whereas I would have come around the whole field, but that's Dan, cool as you like!. He's quiet and you don't hear much out of him but he does his talking out on the track. This game will be his future because he's a tall lad and the weight is hard for him on the Flat. This horse was running on at Galway when he fell at the second-last and Shane (Mulcahy) said he was definitely not out of it, so we did quietly fancy him today even though this is a different sort of track. Fair play to the owners for letting Dan ride him because he doesn't have a lot of experience but he's a horseman, a good rider and he'll have a big future over jumps.
Vinnie Is Busy a welcome winner for jockey Byrnes
It's been coming a while but the form of his last run worked out unreal with the horse that beat him winning a Flat race in Galway. He seemed to enjoy letting him off in front there and it was the best he's jumped for a long time. We can mix it over hurdles and fences and it looks like he stays now which we thought he wouldn't. We thought he was a two-miler but he stays three now. That's Philip's first winner since he came back from injury. He was off for nearly 10 months.
Junior Bee takes step up in trip in her stride
She stayed well tonight. The big challenge we've had with her all along is that she's just too keen and to get her to switch off. That's why I ran her back quickly. Last week in Cork she was just too fresh everywhere and she never spat it out from the minute she arrived at the racecourse. She's genuine but just mad to get on with it. The good gallop this evening meant Jordan could switch her off and she got into a lovely rhythm. He gave her a superb ride. Maybe she should jump a fence, that's where I was going to go with her, but you keep trying to take these opportunities when they arise.
Noble Birth lands nightcap for Elliott and Kennedy
He did it well and Jack gave him a great ride. He stays well. All of mine ran well tonight but we thought this lad was our best chance, so we're happy.
