Going - Good. Cloudy
Trifecta Not Won. Pool of 406.51 carried forward to Cork on Friday 13th May. Jackpot Pool - 1,715.00 Not Won. Carried forward to Dundalk on Friday 13th May. Placepot Pool - 11,552.87 Dividend - 264.10 Winning Units - 22.8. Daily Double Pool - 120.00 Days Aggregate - 53,221.77 Last Year 46,752.00
Graduate has classic ambitions
He only does what he has to do but he's a gorgeous big staying horse. He's relaxed, genuine and true,. Pat said it wasn't ideal that he had to make his own running but he had the race settled in two strides. The next logical step is to run in the Nijinsky Stakes at Leopardstown on June 9th and if he ran well there I may consider the Irish Derby. Further down the road he might be an English Leger horse.
Rivals fail to overcome Fire
Pat gave him a very good ride,. He's a progressive colt but we won't be in a hurry with him as he's by Montjeu. He might have a little time off as he needs to furnish and develop - physically strengten. He could come back hopefully for a Listed race in July. He's been working nicely since his debut run.
Three and easy for Weld and Smullen
He deserved his win. He just ran up against smart horses on his last three runs. He's very consistent,. He got another lovely ride from Pat Smullen. The 16 draw wasn't easy but he took his time and the horse battled well. I thought he would win today. He just happened to meet better horses on his last few runs.
McDonoghs score with Orafinitis
Balladiene proves tough customer
I'm delighted for Ronan. The owners put her in training to give him a winner. They are from the same town, Monasterevin,. She's been very consistent. She's entered at Killarney on Tuesday. Ronan gave her a peach of a ride.
Tara lands doubles for McDonogh and Whelan
She ran very well at Dundalk last time. Ronan is a jockey on his way,. At least she won't get thrown out of the ratings now.
Negotiate leaves it late
We thought a bit of her last year as you could see from the entries and threw her in at the deep end,. She was always going to be a three-year-old and has strengthened up over the winter. She likes that lovely good ground. We'll step her up in class now.