I’d Be Keen To Ride Either Horse In The Grand National

It was a good performance from Way Back Home in the Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Padraig Roche has been in fantastic form this season. It’s his first season training and he’s made a really good job of it.

He jumped out and made all the running and it never really felt in any doubt. From a long way out, I was always in control. He doesn’t hold any entries at Cheltenham but I’d say you’ll definitely see him at Fairyhouse at Easter for the 2 mile hurdle there or the Punchestown Festival.

Bobbyjo Learnings
I was very impressed with both Rathvinden and Alpha Des Obeaux with a view towards the English Grand National. They both ran a very good race. It was Rathvinden’s first start of the season and it was a very, very good performance. The Bobbyjo is always a good trial for the Grand National and they both ran good Grand National trials.

If the phone was ringing, I’d be keen to ride either of those in the Grand National.

My own horse in the race, Magic Of Light, was fine after the race. She made a bad mistake and unseated me. It’s just one of those things, that’s racing, but she’ll live to fight another day.

Kempton
Fusil Raffles was very, very impressive at Kempton on Saturday. It was a good race, the Adonis is often a good trial. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and will miss the Triumph Hurdle, which is a disappointment. I’m sure Joseph O’Brien won’t be too disappointed though. For the race it’s a disappointment not to have him there. That was a a very eye-catching performance on Saturday.

I’d say connections were disappointed with Angels Breath’s run on Saturday at Kempton. When he won the race at Ascot he only jumped four hurdles so they needed to get another run into him. To me looking at the race, he looked more like a Neptune horse than a Supreme Novices’ horse. He’s a point-to-point winner and was very impressive when he won his point-to-point over three miles, so I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if he stepped up in trip for the Neptune.

Cheltenham
It’s very disappointing for Joseph O’Brien to see Le Richebourg ruled out of the Arkle. He was definitely one of his best chances going there, based on form this season, so it’s hugely disappointing for connections.

It opens up the Arkle a little but more.

It looks very wide open at the moment. Lalor was very, very impressive when he won late last year but disappointed after that on very soft ground. If the ground comes up good, he’s probably the most likely favourite for me. There’s still plenty of good horses in there, it won’t be a walk in the park.

It was disappointing not to see Presenting Percy over the weekend but Pat Kelly has said he’s going straight to the Gold Cup with him. I think what’s going to run in the next week or two with a view to going to Cheltenham will be just trying to book a ticket. I wouldn’t see them as big chances in any of the races.

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