Going - Good, good to yielding in places. Overcast
Placepot Pool - 11,920.40 Dividend - 912.50 Winning Units - 9.15. Quadpot Pool - 1,650.99 Dividend - 212.40 Winning Units - 5.75. Days Aggregate - 76,984.00 (8 races). Last Year 84,368.00 (7 races).
Farout impresses on second hurdles start
It was a good performance and he learned plenty from Fairyhouse. I rode him in Fairyhouse and he just didn't jump that day but you'd forgive him because he was coming off the flat and it wasn't like he was a point-to-pointer. He stepped up nicely on that today and hopefully will be a nice one to look forward and handled that ground well. Willie will have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do, but you'd imagine he'll be well able to win through the summer.
Mullins wins Cork's opening two races
she was good, had the form in the book having been placed in a few maidens and put it together nicely. She was able to learn plenty from her experiences and was able to jump out and make all. She had been disappointing so far but those fillies, once they get a bit of sun on their backs they start to improve. She was a bit of a weak finisher on heavy ground but kept galloping on that ground so hopefully there's more to come.
Gallowglass battles well to land the money
He ran during Christmas but the deep ground was beating him so we put him away for nice ground. He is a smashing horse and the ground is important to him. His owner (William Fitzgerald) passed away a few weeks ago and nearly lifted him home today.
Groveman pops up at 25/1 for the McNamaras
I felt he came on an awful lot from his first run in Kilbeggan (after a six month lay-off) which was over two miles and even though he hadn't run over 2m4f before, I was thinking of running him over that trip the first day. To me he wants every inch of 2m4f to be in his comfort zone. I was hoping he'd go close and he seems a very sound, straightforward horse. Maybe he keeps a little for himself but I think stepping up in trip was a huge plus to him. The syndicate (Scobie Wan Kenobi Racing Club) are all local, it's headed by Scobie Hogan and they'll be delighted. He'll run away during the summer and might run also run on the flat.
Tabor successful with Cork hurdler
Spillane strikes at local track with Goulane Jessie
She has been knocking on the door and the last day she got bumped at the first in Tramore in a handicap chase and jumped a bit cowardly afterwards but still wasn't beaten too far. I thought the ground would be a bit quick but she got away with it and the three miles was a big help. It'll all depend on the weather, whether or not she is staying in (training) for another while and she might be covered. Hopefully we might win a chase with her first.
Curling's Freddie improves dramatically for 'the application of cash'
He had been very disappointing on softer ground and we actually sent him to the sales but he was sent back. He done a couple of good bits of work but I don't know where all the money came from. He ran in a maiden hurdle over three miles and you'd think he'd want soft ground but he obviously doesn't. He'll run away during the summer and he'll have no bother jumping a fence - he'd jump fences better even as he jumps Easyfix hurdles better. It is unfortunate for Ian (McCarthy) as he forgot to sign in (for yesterday’s health screening) and he'll get back on him the next day.
It's a family affair for the Faheys in Cork bumper
I'm delighted to get that winner for my daughter Aoife as she has gone close on a good few occasions but that's her first winner,. She is a great girl around the yard, does an impeccable job in turning out horses for years and has gone close on a number of occasions but getting across the line was brilliant. She has always shown promise at home, we knew she was fairly good but with the restrictions we weren't able to get her away as much as we'd liked to educate her. I was a bit concerned about the drying ground as she'd like it deeper. She's from a very good family and there are a few winners' bumpers at the end of the month. She has schooled over hurdles and while we're not normally a selling yard, my own two girls are working full-time in the yard now and we'd be open to offers for her. I'm not normally anxious to sell but if we get a decent offer we'd contemplate it.