Going - Hurdle/Bumper: Good, good to yielding in places. Chase: Good. CHANGED on the chase course to 'good, good to firm in places' after 4th race.. Windy and some rain
Jackpot Pool - €159.03 Dividend - €159.00 Winning Units - .18. Placepot Pool - €12,165.50 Dividend - €5,544.80 Winning Units - 2.2. Days Aggregate - €104,050.18 Last Year €108,401.41
Falcon flies in to give O'Dwyer's juvenile winner at Gowran
It wasn't a surprise as we have always liked him but he just wasn't fast enough for the Flat. He is a gorgeous looking horse and were looking forward to going hurdling as he jumps well. We changed tactics today and made the running and he is the type who stays very well so will want further. Winter ground can only help him.
Apple's Of Bresil another Gowran winner for Barry Connell
It is the first time he has got a galloping track and conventional obstacles. We ran twice him in Galway and he made the same mistake at the second-last both times; it is a trappy fence and that was two miles but he will be a stayer in time. He is a galloper and it is great to get that done. We'll have a look at the Monksfield Novice at Navan next month, if the ground is suitable and not gone heavy. He will only come into himself as a chaser next year and winning a bumper had been a complete bonus. I'm delighted with today as when you have a horse who is showing you a lot at home, you hate making excuses for them.
Diamond delivers for Queally & Sexton
He is only a four-year-old so to beat those older horses was good and he hit the line strong, having been ridden out the back. David Kiely is a good loyal supporter of ours and has (prolific point-to-point winner) Rocky's Howya back on again this year so we're looking to him as well. this is the first horse I've had by him and being clear-winded and a beautiful mover, I wouldn't rule out buying another one by him.
Visionarian lands Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase under Flanagan
Things certainly hadn't gone to plan since we got him as he wasn't right. That said, I was confident enough he'd run well but didn't expect him to win. I know the race ended up with only three runners but we'll take it and he is now a Grade 2 winner. The Galway Plate was initially the plan but he just wasn't right at that time and then was well beaten the last day but he is back on track now. Last night and with the weather forecast, we thought we mightn't be running but it went the other way and it suited us. To win this Grade 2 is brilliant.
Flavin planning Cheltenham return with Midnight Our Fred
I thought the trip was short but once I saw the withdrawals, knew the race had half-fallen apart. He loves that ground and it takes a fair one to jump with him as he is an unbelievable jumper. He is better going left-handed and we're going back to Cheltenham in three weeks' time. He had been eligible for an amateur riders' chase that day but has won too far today, although I think Danny did that on purpose, to keep the ride! He might now get in off bottom weight in the 3m1f William Hill Handicap Chase. I have 20 horses for the track this winter, have between 10 and 12 for point-to-points and buying and selling is all part of my job.
Elliott's Rainbow back on the winning Trail
He is only just ready to start off and hadn't done a piece of work but I thought I'd let him tip around here. Obviously the race cut up but there is loads of improvement in him. He is a not a big massive horse and will be more of a handicapper than a graded horse.
Finnians Row shows plenty determination to win at Gowran
He seems to be happiest jumping and galloping so that was the plan to have a go again today. He jumped and travelled well and Paddy said he gave him a breather turning-in and away he went again. Paddy comes in riding out for me one day a week. He'll go on soft ground but not on the extremes. It is great for the ladies (owners Anne McCartan and Frances Smyth) who are from the north but missed the last day he won.
