Top-class Leopardstown fare can lift the gloom
It has been hard work at home to keep the gallops going because of the frost, although at least we were able to get to The Curragh to school the horses.
Gowran has an inspection this morning at 7.30am and if it’s anything like it is here in Moone, they have no chance. We have had no thaw in the shade so unless there was some decent cloud cover and a big rise in temperatures overnight, I wouldn’t be hopeful.
It really is a pain, after the meeting was already postponed from Thursday, but there is nothing we can do about it.
Hume River will run in the Thyestes Chase if it goes ahead. We will have blinkers and a tongue tie on him and we’re hoping for the best. As I said last week, I think he takes a bit longer to come to himself as he gets older and would like to think he’ll run well. It’s a very competitive handicap of course but he’s off a good weight and with a bit of luck in running, could run into the place money.
In contrast to Gowran, all the vibes for tomorrow’s top-class card at Leopardstown are very positive.
We have a strong team scheduled to make the trip and there will be no excuses in relation to the amount of work they’ve had. The fitness should be right.
Saludos seems to be in good form for the Arkle and we’re very happy with him. He took a bad fall when leading at the last in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas but we’ve schooled him twice since. He was a bit cautious the first time but that’s normal. He was very good the second time. We were hoping to school him again yesterday but the frost took care of that. We’ll probably give him a loose school today instead.
You’d have to be hoping for a big run. It’s a competitive race obviously but I thought if he’d have stayed up the last time he would have won as he was finding plenty for pressure. That’s what he does, he finds all the time. But they’re there to be jumped and that’s the name of the game. Realt Dubh and Noble Prince, who finished first and second that day, are in opposition again so it should be an exciting race.
Somethingdifferent and Serein both go in the maiden hurdle. Normally, I would have looked at them avoiding each other but again, the options are reduced when race meetings are cancelled and I had no choice. The ground being better will suit Somethingdifferent and we’re happy enough with him. It’s Serein’s first run over hurdles but he jumps well.
Top Of The Rocks wears cheek pieces in the handicap chase in the hope that they have the same positive effect on him as they did on Got Attitude, by just making him concentrate more.
Falcon Island runs over 2½ miles for the first time in the handicap hurdle. He’s had one run in handicaps and that should help. I be hopeful enough and the extra two furlongs should suit him as I think he stays very well.
We finish off with Burn And Turn in the bumper. I’m very happy with her. She’s in great form and works well. Of course there are a lot of newcomers so it depends on what they’re like. You always hear the chat about the good ones in the bumper very early so we’ll know what we’re up against pretty soon after we arrive.
Apart from that, I’m looking forward to taking a week’s holidays on Tuesday in France. But that won’t mean anything stops at Commonstown as I’m lucky to have a brilliant team there. So they’ll make sure that everything’s in order, including having Roberto Goldback ready for the Kinloch Brae Chase in Thurles next Thursday. It’s a top-class race but he’s in good nick for it. And I’ll be tuning in somewhere to watch it.
