Robbie Power on Emily Moon, Impact Factor & More

I only had the one ride at Naas on Saturday and Emily Moon impressed me with the manner of her victory.

Emily Moon
She has improved for each run this season, and dropping back to two miles and front running tactics seemed to work the oracle.

She made all to win her bumper at Cork last May so we decided to try those tactics again. It wasn’t the strongest of maiden hurdles but she couldn’t have been any more impressive.

She’s from the family of Best Mate and her owners are involved in the breeding game so they’ll be seeking black type with her next.

Punchestown On Sunday
At Punchestown on Sunday, I hit the crossbar a couple of times with Impact Factor and Discordantly.

I was pleased with Impact Factor – the winner was successful in graded company over hurdles and was third in the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Limerick over Christmas. I think some people might have underestimated him. Impact Factor just lacks tactical speed over two miles on good ground, and on softer ground he should have little difficulty winning his beginners chase.

Discordantly ran a solid race in the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The winner just proved to be a better horse than him on the day. They pulled well clear of the third and it rode a good maiden hurdle – I think plenty of winners will emerge from the race.

I enjoyed the spin over the banks in the PP Hogan Memorial aboard A Sizing Network – it was my first spin round the banks course since finishing third on Bostons Angel in the 2013 La Touche Cup.

It’s a discipline he could do well in – he took to the course well and he can be expected to improve a lot for today’s run.

Elsewhere over the weekend, Gigginstown owned horses dominated the finish of the Boylesports Grand National Trial.

The winner Dounikos was overlooked by many – let’s not forget he was fancied by some to win the RSA Chase last year. He’ll be a big player on Easter Monday if connections opt to target the Boylesports Irish Grand National.

I was impressed by Sinoria in the Listed Novice Hurdle. The runner-up is highly regarded and she showed a really good attitude to battle back having been headed approaching the last obstacle.

Band Of Outlaws strikes me as an ideal type for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. I’d imagine he falls short of Joseph’s top juvenile hurdlers, but we’ve seen horses like him excel in the four-year-old handicap at Cheltenham.

We are all hoping that Irish racing continues without interruption this week after the outbreak of Equine Influenza in the UK.

There was nothing to suggest over the weekend that we are in danger here but the authorities will continue to keep a close eye on it.

There was a good report on Sunday that no new cases had been found from all the tests carried out.

Fingers crossed we get an uninterrupted run with top-class Irish racing from Gowran Park and Navan next weekend.