Market gets it right

I knew Play The Market would run well but I was a bit worried today's race was only two miles as I thought it would be stiff enough for him. Robbie (Power) was delighted with him and I like the way he quickened up. He is big five year old now but will make a lovely chaser next year. We'll look at a look for a two and half mile handicap at Fairyhouse or Punchestown for him next as his owner (Judy Wilson) will be able to come over to see him run then.

Cashman's Idarah is Cheltenham bound

that was a bit unexpected! I thought he'd need the run badly. He schooled at Fairyhouse last Thursday and he went great and did a nice bit of work during the week but it is four months since he has run. However, with the older horses it doesn't take as much to get them fit. .He hates that bad ground and hopefully he'll get nicer ground at Cheltenham. He's in a few races there but we'll be leaning towards the Grand Annual Chase - Liam (Mulryan, owner) has Plan A in the County Hurdle. It's great for Liam, he's a great client in the stud (Rathbarry) end and sends us plenty of mares.

Rathlin rout for Russell

Rathlin is an improving sort, was good today and jumped well. He is settling a bit better and that is a lot to do with it, as he was just running himself into the ground previously. I've no big plans, but we could possibly go for something like the Powers Gold Cup with him. He'll get three miles no problem and we'll just freshen him up a bit now. I think he'll go on any ground as he is a good-actioned horse.

Sprightly display from Felix Yonger

coming back in trip was no problem for Felix Yonger. He is a super mover and I don't think he is a winter horse - I think he'll be better on better ground in the spring. I imagine he'll be good enough to travel if we want to but I'll have a word with Mr Wylie (owner) and see what he wants to do. Ruby (Walsh) always thought he would have no trouble staying but he is well able to compete over two miles on better ground. He shows plenty of gears at home and I think he'll improve again.

No catching Seabass!

that was great! Seabass got under the last but was gutsy. He was out of his comfort zone over two miles and was going faster than he wanted to go but battled well. Maybe some of the other horses weren't as good as they used to be but he was won €120,00 since he won his point to point and that's not bad! If he stays sound, we'll go to Aintree for the Grand National. There's no ideal type of horse for that race, you won't know until you get there. Nobody knows if he'll get the trip he's never been beyond three miles but I imagine looking at him he is the right type. However, the biggest problem is keeping him sound - he has been on the ‘scrap heap' three times already.

Paddy Pub completes good weekend for Purcell & Doyle

O'Moore comes back for more

I thought the other horse (The Paparazzi Kid) had him but he is a tough customer - not many of them who go off like that in front stay going. He settled better and he is getting a bit of sense but we might as well keep him for a novice for next year, he'll be a good thing for a maiden hurdle. That's some compensation for Navan (caught late on by Don Cossack) and he has been unlucky many times - every day he has run has been on bottomless ground and it is hard to make all on heavy ground. Today is probably the best ground he has had.