Going - Good (Good, good to firm in places after R4). Overcast
Jackpot Pool - 4,390.15 Dividend - 1,580.90 Winning Units - 1.94. Placepot Pool - 20,406.05 Dividend - 162.10 Winning Units - 88.11. Days Aggregate - 164,169.42 (7 races). Last Year (8 races).
Plane sailing for Merrily as Ballydoyle win with another filly
Turn Up The Beat provides Barry with a first flat winner
we thought a bit of him as a two-year-old, he was very fast but he didn't stay. Pat Murphy had him in the past and he did a great job with him. We're national hunt people, we've been lobbing away with him on deep sand at home and I think it has stood to him, as he toughed it out. I thought he might need the run to sharpen him, but he's a grand horse and I'm not shocked he has won. I thought for his first run over five (furlongs) he was good.
Velazquez finishes fifth to Foley's filly on first Irish ride
Over The Blues did that pretty well and as Luke (McAteer, winning jockey) said it a matter of getting from A to B with her. She was green first time and while she is normally pretty good coming out of stalls, she was in there for a long time and missed the break a little bit. Luke had to get after her then to hold a position but that lit her up and then she maybe didn't see out the six fully from being keen. She gets six (furlongs) no problem but in saying that you could easily drop her back to five. They are a speedy family, four have won maidens for us but this is the only one which could go over five. They are all very different although this is very different to the rest of them as she's probably the strongest and being a sprinter, all she'll do is improve. It's a fair broodmare that Jim (Browne, owner/breeder) has. there is a conditions race in Tipperary next week but I'd say that might be a bit quick for her and there is a Listed race back here in a month's time over this trip so that would seem to be ideal for her. We don't mind stepping her up in class and that's probably an ideal option.
Murphy ends 'disastrous' spell with overdue win
I had four winners the first month I started, but then I had a disaster as the whole thing stopped. We got all these new horses which brought viruses from the sales, and this and that. I'm delighted for Gay and Annette (O'Callaghan, owners) as they had Capital Guarantee with me last year when I was based with (trainer) Kieran Cotter but when we sold him to England, he won three in a row. He was just ready, after castration, and came back and did well. Colin (Keane) carried this horse but he was tough too. I told him that we were really happy with him and I'm so happy to have this winner. Colin said we could pull him back to five (furlongs) and I agree with him.
Aga Khan continues good recent run with Oaks Trial win
she always showed us plenty, she was one of the ones we really liked and were looking forward to her this year. Her form has worked out with the second horse (from the Curragh) winning pretty well at Down Royal last week and we were coming here confident. She did a nice piece of work during the week and while I was surprised she was 25/1, that's the kind of race it was. She's not big but has a good turn of foot and when she relaxes early, she has a good turn of foot and it worked out very well today. Ben said they went quick down to the bend and he was able to sit on her. When he turned in he had to look for a gap but when he did, she quickened up well. He said he loved the way she hit the line and she was tough as well. She's got a bit of class and it's nice to get a Listed winner because it looked a very competitive race this morning. Ben said he wouldn't go a mile-and-a-half just yet but maybe later. A mile-and-a-quarter is good for her at the moment. I entered her this morning in a Group 3 over a mile-and-one at the Curragh in three weeks' time. I'd definitely bring her back to a mile-and-one rather than going a mile-and-a-half at this stage.
King collects for Lyons and Ryan
he's a grand horse and as Gary Carroll (jockey) says at home, he's a group horse but hasn't brought that to the track yet. He was in his own grade today and won like a good horse. James (Ryan) comes in, rides out twice a week and I think he's a really good apprentice and is great to have in a race like that. I told him that when this horse comes off the bridle, he won't help you so just produce him late. I think everything worked out fairly well. We took nosebands off him and other things, and by accident or design it worked. We thought he wanted further but that seems to be where I'll park him at the moment. the cherry on the cake is that Maurice (Regan, owner) is home - I don't see much of him at all so it's nice to give him a winner when he's here.
Moyglare Stud's Frankel-filly wins Naas finale
she was just slow coming to hand this year so I took my time with her and hopefully the patience will pay dividends. Seven (furlongs) to a mile suits and she'll come on for it. She's going to be a fitter, sharper filly the next day. Don't be surprised if I go back to seven with her.