Pulse racing in hope of big run from Dragon in National
Kate is competing there and I watched her dressage yesterday before returning to Ireland because there is a lot to get ready for.
The rain came for Dragon Pulse and with more forecast for the week we decided to supplement him for the National Stakes. We are very happy with him and conditions will definitely suit but obviously it is his strongest test to date.
Aidan (O’Brien) runs four and Power is a big danger, as is Jeremy Noseda’s Talwar but we’re very happy with how Dragon Pulse has strengthened up as the year has progressed and we’re hoping for a very big run.
It’s a hot, proper Group 1 race but as I said before, you don’t supplement them unless you think they’ve a chance. He’ll run a very big race and I’m delighted that his owner Dr Tan will be here, having come over on Thursday night.
Of course Pathfork won this contest last year and people think that might make me a bit more relaxed beforehand but it won’t make one bit of difference. I’ve been involved on plenty of big days but I’m always nervous and today will be exactly the same.
We run Violent Lashes first time out in the fillies’ maiden. She’s a lovely, big filly but she will probably be a bit green. Gush goes in the Listed Blenheim Stakes and if she could sneak third place and get a bit of black type I would be over the moon.
Bible Belt makes a big step up to take on Banimpire in the Blandford Stakes, but she’s been very good so far and this is the next logical move for her. Siren’s Song also runs. She has been disappointing this year and will run in blinkers for the first time. Hopefully they might have a positive effect.
I’m quite excited about Princess Sinead in the mile listed race. She’ll like that bit of a dig in the ground and was only a short head behind John Oxx’s Rubina in the Moyglare. She came out of that very well and you’d be hoping that she runs another big race.
Glanusk runs in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Handicap which is very competitive - as it always is. You could stick a pin in there to find a winner so I all I can say is we’re hoping for a good run.
Listowel has always been one of my favourite festivals and it gets under way tomorrow. I would have loved to avoid pitting The Quiet Hawk and Why But Why against each other in the 3yo hurdle but it is the obvious race for them. The Quiet Hawk has come alive since seeing hurdles and they’re both in good form.
Takeyourcapoff always runs a good race so I expect more of the same from her, while the ground won’t be so good for Got Attitude but Paradis De Thaix likes a good dig in it.
During the week, Hurricane Ridge runs in the nursery on Monday and I’m very happy with him since he won first time out. I’m looking forward to Bullock Harbour as well, while The Bull Hayes has a choice of engagements.
If the ground isn’t too soft Steps To Freedom will make his debut over hurdles, which is something to look forward to as well, while Bob Le Beau, Siren’s Song and Glamorous are all entered in the Listowel Stakes on Wednesday.
We were absolutely thrilled to see the two two-year-olds winning and not just because I tipped them up here last week!
The key to Silver Sycamore was that we rode her the right way at last in Leopardstown on Saturday. We learned from the previous race that we should have made more use of her so we let her bowl along in front. She settled really well before quickening and pulling away. I had her in for this weekend but she won’t run and we’ll look for some black type with her next.
Backbench Blues got a bit tight coming around the bend in Dundalk on Sunday but once he got out, he took the race readily enough. He’s still a bit of a baby and he’ll probably go for a premier nursery in a week or ten days time. He’s a lovely big horse and he might just have two more runs before being put away for the season.
I was delighted with Back Burner too at Leopardstown. He ran a blinder and was very good for a three year-old to finish fourth against seasoned campaigners in a premier handicap. I’m not sure when he’ll be out next again. I want to step him up in trip though so we’ll be waiting for a ten-furlong race.
