Going - Straight: Good Round: Good (Good To Firm in places) (Yielding after 2nd race). Overcast
Trifecta Not Won. Pool of 4,778.76 carried forward to Curragh on Sunday 17th July. Jackpot Pool - 7,294.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Curragh on Sunday 17th July. Placepot Pool - 18,921.84 Dividend - 818.20 Winning Units - 17.34. Days Aggregate - 109,813.94 Last Year 106,287.00
McCreery & Hayes take opener with Sophies
We were delighted with her run at Leopardstown. She is a big gangly filly and its great to win a maiden at the Curragh, although it is an ordinary day's racing. We will take our time with her now but she is maturing all the time.
25th time lucky for Takasima
I'm delighted she finally got her head in front. She has plenty of ability. I only have six horses in training and that's my second winner in just over a week. She may go to Galway now for another Handicap.
Step up in class next for Simla
I was angry with the handicapper for giving her four pounds for finishing second the last day. Today's race didn't look as competitive and the rain helped take the jar out of the ground. She has won four times now and we will try and get some black type for her again now. There is the Listed Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary in a couple of weeks time over seven furlongs or we may travel (abroad) with her.
All the way win for Rhine in Minstrel Stakes
Pat gave him a super ride. He is a quirky bugger and Pat did the right time by taking him away from the others horses after the start. I was very concerned about the ground but I don't think its as soft as people thought. He is very consistent, but he doesn't take a lot of racing, so we will try and freshen him up now.
Cherokee another all the way winner
He raced a bit lazy in front. He did it well and was entitled to win. I gave him a little breather turning in.
Big priced George wins again
We really fancied him the last day at Naas, but things didn't go well. He was out of the handicap here but we took our chance and its great to win at the Curragh. I had a runner at Kilbeggan yesterday evening and he pulled up, so it just shows you the ups and downs of the game. I have two flat horses and five jumpers in my yard at the moment.
Battler does just that in first Nursery of season
I thought the handicapper had been hard on him as he was a little disappointing on his last two starts. He had been working well earlier in the year. He will go for a seven furlongs Nursery at Galway next.