Going - Good to Yielding, yielding in places X-country - Good. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 6,986.88 Dividend - 4,890.80 Winning Units - .91. Placepot Pool - 100,548.46 Dividend - 314.50 Winning Units - 223.73. Days Aggregate - 620,595.20 Last Year 217,625.00
Dempseys wins Punchestown's opener
I thought she'd run well, it was her first handicap but she had a good bit of experience over hurdles. We were hopeful rather than confident. She won well in Naas and she's been consistent. Luke gave her a great ride and it's great to get it at a local track. It looked like she was beaten over the last, and she had to fight turning in, but thankfully she came out the better side of it. I'll talk to Ray (Fitzgerlad, owner) now but I'm looking forward to going over fences with her next season, there is a good program for these types of mares. I might give her a break but I'll have to talk to the boss. She's going the right way and is by a great sire (Jeremy).
Robbie Power announces retirement plan
Ballyboker Bridge retires after La Touche triumph
we're going to retire him now, that's the end for him. Hopefully I get another one that's as good as him. He's not the best horse, he's not a Big Shu but wears his heart on his sleeve. He's been a horse of a lifetime, a great horse, he's a bit cracked but he's not bad in his own way. When Enda's horse (Bolger, Shady Operator) came out it was a penalty kick. Singing Banjo is great but he's loaded up with the weight and Vital Island was probably a bit tired from Tuesday - he had a great chance.
Klassical Dream repeats Stayers success
Paul (Townend) got him lovely and settled and relaxed at the start. Having so few runners in the race was a big help as he was able to settle him on the outside and keep him relaxed. The horse races so much better when he does that. He gets a bit upset but he was very relaxed today in the parade ring, at the start and during the race. He's maturing as he gets older. I'd imagine we'll go the same route next year. I don't think we're going to go over fences, I think it's easier to keep him sounder that way. As you can see he's so busy and every time we've run over fences we've had trouble with him.
A Great View ends four-year wait for win
he won this race in the past and when you come here with one bullet to fire, you try and put it where you can do the most damage. We always had faith in him, he likes it here, likes that nice ground and it gives him a chance to travel and jump well. He had been running well, he had been second in a €100,000 race at Navan and was third in the Brown Lad over 2m4f. He's not getting any younger and we might have a look at a few of the summer festivals. He needs a bit of luck in running, doesn't like the argy bargy and if you can get a clear run and a bit of room he enjoys himself. Mark gave him a great ride today and things worked out so I'm delighted.
Dominant Mullins bags another Grade 1
they quickened a bit about the fourth last and I thought Saint Sam was running a cracker until he genuflected at the second last. I couldn't believe how much Paul (Townend) pulled out of our fellow, I thought Coeur Sublime had stolen the race between the last two. Paul said he didn't want to appear in front too soon because at Leopardstown he looked all over the place and indeed he did that again today. Once he gets to the front he just thinks the race is over and he loses concentration. Paul timed it perfectly. This is probably an easier track to see a race (than Cheltenham) out but I don't think going back to Cheltenham would be a problem. Paul is getting to know him better and the horse is improving and getting stronger. I thought he probably wants 2m4f next year and most of mine will probably start here in the John Durkan, it's a good race to start with. He'll probably mix it between two and 2m4f - we'll give him a shot at going down the Champion Chase route but I think two-and-a-half might be better.
Dingle delivers on first Irish visit
we felt the ground might be a bit quick for her but they do such a good job watering and it was definitely on the easy side. We had no options at home for her so it was this or not run. The gallop they went up front, we could have all fallen in a heap but she ran a cracker. It was all about today, we'll give her a summer break now and see how she progresses over fences next season. She's still on an okay mark, there is a £35,000 race at Hereford in mid-December that we might have a go at. we had a winner here last year, love coming here and we've done well in the handicaps. We had another one beaten a short-head and a neck in a similar race.
Tag, you're 'it' - leaders escape in bumper finale
I'm delighted with that and mainly delighted for Roger Brookhouse (owner). Roger hasn't been racing for a couple of years and it's brilliant that he's here and great to get a winner for him here. we went to buy the horse that beat him (Amarillo Sky), in his point-to-point, but couldn't buy and the next thing he said 'what about this guy' so we got him. He's a real galloping horse and fair play to Davy, he gave him a super ride. He's a key member of our team and I'm delighted for him.