Going - Chase: Soft to Heavy Hurdle: Soft, soft to heavy in places. Fine
Placepot Pool - 17,509.15 Dividend - 87.40 Winning Units - 140.24. Quadpot Pool - 1,366.93 Dividend - 61.90 Winning Units - 16.34. Days Aggregate - 180,729.00 (8 races). Last Year 224,686.00 (7 races).
Teahupoo makes a splash in the Winning Fair
I thought it was a good performance again; I liked the way when he jumped the second last and idled a bit and pricked his ear. Robert said when he gave him a squeeze at the back of it he was gone again. He's improving the whole time. Obviously he's in everything at Cheltenham, the Fred Winter, the Supreme and the Triumph. I'll have a chat with Brian (Acheson, owner) as we have Cheltenham or we could come back here for the Grade 2 at Easter which is only two weeks later. It wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world if he stayed at home and came back here. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge over the next couple of weeks. I'd say he'll stay three miles, he's a real stayer, and he's probably the type of horse you need for a Triumph Hurdle because he stays. He's a nice horse.
Champion candidate wins Red Mills Hurdle
that was brilliant and I'm delighted for Peter Michael (owner). He's having a really good season but it's nice to win one as well, and he won it well. We've always thought a lot of him, that's his second graded win and he was just chinned in a Grade 1. He's in the Champion Hurdle and we'll see. I think ground is important to him, he wants a good ease. He is improving all the time, has won over 1m2f here on the Flat so he's got gears and the Aintree Hurdle is another interesting option. We'll see what Peter would like to do, it's not everyday you have a contender for the Champion Hurdle. I just have a feeling that he might be better on a flatter track but that's just a theory. We're delighted to win today, we targeted this race.
Breakeven gets off the mark over hurdles
he's just learning his job. That's probably the first day everything has gone right for him. He's a beautiful jumper of a hurdle for such a big horse. He's an out and out chaser and I can't wait to go chasing with him as he's won two point-to-points. We'll keep going this road and his main target will be the Red Mills Series Final in Punchestown. Whether he runs between now and then I don't know, it depends on the horse himself. He's not a January/February ground horse. Maybe he'll grow into it but he's not at the moment anyway. He's a real good ground chaser and he wants two-and-a-half or three miles.
On-song Acapella gains consecutive Bobbyjo wins
Macgiloney registers eighth career win
Rhythm Divine secures timely win
I'm delighted for her owners Tom and Walter (O'Connor). Tom had a tough time with losing his wife Mandy and it's their son Ben's (14th) birthday either today or yesterday. It's brilliant for them. I thought she'd need it to be honest and we weren't that sure about the ground either because she normally wants better ground. Even though we weren't expecting it, it's still great. We'll try and come back here for something at Easter.
Semi-retired 13yo wins on reappearance run
we had semi-retired him but during the summer Robbie (Colgan) took him back into work even though we were so busy. I take no credit for anything as Robbie has done everything with him. He is very ironically named - he isn't nasty or anything but is a character. He is really difficult in the parade ring and today we had to get permission to go out early. He is the hardest horse to ride at home because he ducks and dives and spooks but he has been such a servant. we didn't particularly want him carrying top weight, we're having a bit of fun with him but were so unfortunate as he was to run in Limerick three times and they were cancelled. I've no idea what we'll do now. We should retire him and retire Robbie from the jumps as the Flat season is starting soon! That was so exciting and we'll enjoy today.
O'Toole impresses with debut win
we thought he was a nice horse and should have been going point-to-pointing, that was the plan. He's a very good jumper but he was ready to run and we had to get him out somewhere. My brother (Ben) has done all the work on him and I'm just sorry he wasn't on him today. He was confident he'd go well. He's a lovely horse and he's for sale. Jordan gave him a good ride and did everything I asked - hopefully I can get him again, if he keeps getting winners he'll be hard to get.