General Chat

[That Horse]

Also Gordo did drop in the interview after Mighty Potters win that Jack may be back in time for Cheltenham

Jack was interviewed on RTE just before the MP race, says he's back at hospital next Friday for assessment. Has no idea if he'll be back or not.

I'm sure it isn't like football managers using a bit of kidology as to whether their star striker will be back next game, they probably just don't know. It's really some effort that jockeys get back riding so soon after serious injury after serious injury, especially that unlucky bastard Jack Kennedy.

[Kevloaf]

How many Grade 1's does Paul Townend actually have?
Is it less than Danny Mullins?

I thought I heard them say it on RTV

[Winging The Last]

You do get the feeling that Willie is really pissed off with Paul this weekend

[FinalFurlong91]

You do get the feeling that Willie is really pissed off with Paul this weekend

So much so that he can't even hide it despite his other horses winning the races

Can just imagine him getting a little red faced watching the first 3/4 of a mile in that vega race

[That Horse]

You do get the feeling that Willie is really pissed off with Paul this weekend

And yet Danny Mullins will be delighted with Paul. He should call Paul later tonight and just laugh down the phone

[Irish Rugby]

Some good points here, from both Carnage at Taunton and Quevega. Yes, Cheltenham is a unique test but we shouldn't stand still. The DRF is a good invention. I can agree, it has bloodied the noses somewhat of UK trainers who have their own systems and approaches vis a vis certain races and their regimes around certain races, towards Cheltenham/Aintree.

I still think, with a strong emphasis to the Irish trainers using the meeting as a trial in itself for Cheltenham, as we know disregard, and with some disdain, Christmas form, don't be too surprised if we see some further surprises in 5 weeks, franking the Christmas form, but knocking what we've seen at the DRF this weekend.

[Kevloaf]

When Willie isn't so dominant, and the UK horses and trainers are the elite again - then they will go over and pick up DRF wins .....

At the moment, the Irish are ahead - it won't be that way forever.

[riccirich]

At the moment, the Irish are ahead - it won't be that way forever.[/QUOTE]

Wouldn’t bank on that last part at all. A big part of why Britain used to be ahead was because Ireland wasn’t a particularly wealthy country through the 80s/90s etc, which lead to most of the top horses they bred being sold abroad. It’s a different story now and most of the good ones are being kept. I feel this particular point is overlooked a lot and people just think Mullins/Elliott etc are vastly superior trainers to the English and that’s the only reason.

[Kevloaf]

At the moment, the Irish are ahead - it won't be that way forever.

Wouldn’t bank on that last part at all. A big part of why Britain used to be ahead was because Ireland wasn’t a particularly wealthy country through the 80s/90s etc, which lead to most of the top horses they bred being sold abroad. It’s a different story now and most of the good ones are being kept. I feel this particular point is overlooked a lot and people just think Mullins/Elliott etc are vastly superior trainers to the English and that’s the only reason.[/QUOTE]

I see what you're saying but I've got forever to be right, so I would bank on it

A lot of 'best horses' were French for a while weren't they too if we think about it.

Ultimately the owners will go to the best trainers..... when that's not Willie, it may well be Patrick to be fair, and Gordon isn't going anywhere..... but my point is, the UK trainers aren't going over there now as they'd not be at an advantage.... I have absolutely ZERO doubt in my mind that if Paul Nicholls had Big Bucks, Masterminded, Kauto and Denman, all of them would have been running this weekend! Literally zero doubt.

[Irish Rugby]

What's also being overlooked is also that more UK and foreign based owners are seeing Mullins/Elliott/De Bromhead and now increasingly so, Cromwell and McConnell, as the NH trainers to go to. Adding in JP sprinkling in his largess across many trainers, although many too are in numerous UK based yards, it augurs well for the Irish.

Yes, it is cyclical, but there's a fair mileage left in the Irish dominance.

[Kevloaf]

Yeah, you'd say another decade at this rate.

The dominance of Ballymore / Coolmore won't be doing it any harm either

[Istabraq]

Race conditions added to first post of each race thread set up by others (except Cross Country and Hunter Chase)...

[Exar Essay]

Just catching up with the day after an inopportune late lunch was booked on my behalf …

In respect of the racing, in the words of John Locke, Ill need to see that again.

The interviews were bloody telling though. Willie clearly unhappy with Paul’s ride on FV. Paul gets off Gaelic Warrior and has a face like thunder and you can hear the upset in his voice. In my view, there’s clearly some upset in the camp.

I do have some sympathy for Paul though. I found it very odd that Willie publicly criticised Paul in the middle of the card yesterday. Can’t do much for his confidence. Also, to slate a rider for trying to win a Grade One was very odd.

Paul is on the money re Facile Vega too. The early speed might’ve ruined his chance of the win, but doesn’t explain him getting beat that far. Also, if he’s the second coming, as Willie has told us he is, he should be able to race at that speed.

All a bit odd to me.

[Hurricane fly]

I wonder if Mullins might fancy a crack at the English trainers championship again.

He pretty much has the top 2 in Ireland for most disciplines and trips so could split them up a bit more across the sea and pick up the big prizes.

[Kevloaf]

I wonder if Mullins might fancy a crack at the English trainers championship again.

He pretty much has the top 2 in Ireland for most disciplines and trips so could split them up a bit more across the sea and pick up the big prizes.

It'll only be something he'd consider after Cheltenham .....

That year was fantastic, when Nicholls showed him who the real Daddy is.