Going - Yielding - Soft. Cold and dry
Jackpot Pool - 4,666.67 Dividend - 143.10 Winning Units - 29.45. Placepot Pool - 53,455.15 Dividend - 16.00 Winning Units - 2326.81. Days Aggregate - 180,462.42 (7 races). Last Year 104,172.25 (8 races).
Bloodless victory for Mullins' Destiny
Paul had lots of confidence in him and when he left him stride on he jumped those hurdles well and the experience he got in France helped. He does that nicely in the juvenile division and will make a chaser in time. Hopefully he is one which will go forward. I'm sure he's entered for the Graded hurdle at Christmas (Leopardstown) and whether or not it is too close to Christmas or not, so we might wait. We'll see how he comes out of the race, I hope he comes home safe and sound from today and I'll be planning a Grade 1 route with him. It is a syndicate involving the family of the late Archie O'Leary, who had Florida Pearl. His son Anthony was supposed to be here but his flight was cancelled although Peter (O'Leary, grandson) is here. The syndicate carries the same colours as Florida Pearl but with a different cap.
Arctic Bresil overcomes absence to win on rules debut
I'm delighted with that and he is a horse who had shown plenty of promise and Sean Doyle (point to point handler) recommended him. I'm delighted for his owner Peter Davies who is a great supporter of ours. We liked him at home but you always have to do it on the track. He is by Blue Bresil and is from the same cross as Constitution Hill - both are out of King's Theatre mares. Whether or not he is him or not I don't know and we have a long way to go for that but it is nice to win a maiden hurdle. He's normally fast asleep at home so it surprised me he was keen. Paul (Townend, on Mercurey) and Rachael were taking each other on a bit, Rachael opted to do what she did and it worked out thankfully. I don't think we need to rush and there is the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown in the middle of January and that might be the race for him. Christmas would feel too close to me but we'll see and enjoy today. He has a lot of pace so we will stick two two miles.
Doubles for De Bromhead & Blackmore
he did it very nicely and Rachael was brilliant on him. I thought he was struggling turning in and then he picked up really well - I'd say he quickened after the second-last. I'm delighted for the Achesons especially Rob (son) who was very persuasive about buying him. Some members of the team didn't want him but Rob put his foot down, so fair play to him. You need to stay running around here and we'll pencil in the Albert Bartlett (at Cheltenham). He could run at Clonmel in a graded hurdle in February in the race which Monalee won for us (in 2017) and Minella Indo finished second to Allaho (in 2019).
Impervious sees Murphy back on the big stage
we'd have been disappointed if she wasn't ding-dong there and has had a nice clean run with her this year. Settling her is the biggest worry with her but she settled really well again today. She was a bit careful jumping early-on but warmed up to it and her pedigree is all jumping. I wouldn't be afraid to step her up in trip either and there is plenty improvement to come from stepping her up. We'll see how she comes out of this and there are plenty of nice options for her. I have a lot of nice horses for Paul McKeon (owner) who unfortunately couldn't make it today. Unfortunately she is for sale if the right offer comes in as this is my business plan with Paul but without a doubt to stay in the yard.
Energumene impresses in Hilly Way reappearance win
I was a little worried passing the winning post the first time as his eye was caught by something. The end result was great but I don't know if he was feeling something or was looking at the gate or crossing the road but definitely I wasn't happy with the way he went around the bend passing the stands. Paul thought he was idling in front - he was probably in front on his own and there was nothing to make him race. He loves jumping, has a great appetite for it and you are lucky when you have a horse like that. We won't make any plans, he is in at Christmas, at the Dublin Racing Festival and the Ascot race is there but we won't make any decision until we see how he comes out of this.
Meetingofthewaters lands local gamble for O'Sullivans
Nephin Beg a 33/1 winner of Cork finale