Going - Standard. Overcast, bright after R1
Jackpot Pool - 249.66 Not Won. Carried forward to Cork. Placepot Pool - 10,785.94 Dividend - 118.30 Winning Units - 91.2. Days Aggregate - 152,735.50 Last Year 196,570.72
Ms Willpower a rare winning juvenile debutant for Paul Flynn
It is kind of our first venture into buying two-year-olds. We only have two and we sent the other filly home last week, an Advertise filly, a grand filly. This one was backward, but recommended by Tally Ho (Stud) - they are some operators. They said this was the one for me last year. We gave two grand more than we wanted! We are very happy now. She's so laid-back and has a lovely attitude. We only started galloping her two weeks ago, so I think she will come on a lot. When we galloped her, she worked well. I thought I didn't have her fit enough. I find all those Tally Ho horses know their job, they are so well done from day one. Hopefully we can sell this one and move on to another one. That's the plan.
Little Queenie gives trainer Paul Flynn opening race double
We will probably try to get her into a Listed race at Tipperary, she won't run in the Group 3 at Naas. We'll see how that goes - that Tipperary race could suit her well. She's in great form. There is a Group 3 here and she will be kept in for that. The Group 1 entry (in Flying Five at Curragh) is definitely too far-fetched for her. I think she will get some black-type somewhere. I might travel her and if I don't get black-type this year, she will probably come in next year just to get some black-type. She might even run in-foal next year, possibly. We'll see what they (owners) feel. She has a great temperament. She never used to be like that, she has got better lately. She has got more laid-back as she has gone on.
Settlement a maiden no longer
. I hit a bit of a flat spot coming past the three (pole) but, once I grabbed her up again coming up the straight, I always felt like I was going to get on top of the horse that finished second. She did it well. Mr Weld said to keep it straightforward and we got a lovely run around. Kept it simple and settled well, and thankfully it worked out. A filly like that could get a bit of confidence from getting her head in front and is very well-bred, and has been running very well in some very good maidens. Hopefully she will get a bit of confidence from that and improve.
Bernard Shaw readily opens account at second attempt
Marble Angel improves for longer trip as Lordan rides Dundalk double
On her early maiden runs, we thought there was a day in her but had more or less given up. We brought her here actually as a lead horse about two weeks ago and she seemed to handle it. It was over a mile and I thought 'gosh, I'll run her back one more time'. I'm not claiming too much brilliance but that is just what happened. I actually told Wayne 'you're on a high from the last one, but your colours will be lowered here!'. He would do light weights and I really like Wayne. He is a super rider, obviously, and he's a really down-to-earth guy. On light weights, I would always headhunt him.
Rock Etoile overcomes wide draw to win for Slattery
He was well handicapped on his old form. He's had a few issues, we had to burn his palate and things like that. He had a good run in Leopardstown last Thursday which probably entitled him to be there or thereabouts. I never mind (stall) 14 here because it is nearly half a mile down to the bend. It would be worse if there was a bend coming closer. We are having a good run - I think that is three winners last week and two this week. We will have a good few for Dundalk, a lot of two-year-olds didn't run yet.
Ameerat Jumaira leads home 1,3,4 for Halford and Collins in feature
Gardone opens his account under Hayes in Dundalk finale