Jack Devine and his pal Why Not Dream watching the world go by
IT’S off up to Ayr tomorrow with three runners across their card. PAT’S DREAM (1.23) is having his first run for us after having two goes in point-to-points in Ireland. We had him entered at Carlisle on Sunday as well but have decided to come here instead, even though we believe he’ll want further in future. The ground at Carlisle was soft and heavy so it would have been a tough assignment in his first race for us, and first outing since February.
He’s up against some nice horses so we’re not going there with huge expectations. We do like him for the long-term though. The winner of his second point has won on the track for Willie Mullins since and the one immediately behind him won between the flags next time out too, so the form of that looks quite encouraging. He’s a big proper chasing type who will be a bit of fun for Mike and Margaret Edwardson, who are good owners for us. Whether two miles over hurdles is perfect for him, I doubt, but it will be good to get him on the track and get cracking.
We have also declared JACK DEVINE (2.33) but will keep an eye on the weather for him because there is a race at Musselburgh he could run in as well. So we’ll make a definite decision on his participation nearer the time when we know the exact conditions. We were delighted with his run at Perth, especially as we felt he wasn’t fully tuned up and would need it - but it turns out he was a lot fitter than we thought! This race looks a bit better quality than the last time but if he runs the way he did last month he’ll be competitive.
Slanelough schooling on the grass
SLANELOUGH (4.18) will finally have his first run of the season after a few aborted missions so far. We took him to Kelso and the ground was too quick, then we declared at Wetherby but that was too fast for him as well, so he’s been in his box waiting for the conditions to come right.
He’s in great order, we are really happy with him and he’s ready to go. It’s a really hot race, there’s a lot of quality horses in it, but he is a course and distance winner, he’s well within himself, so here’s hoping he can put up a good show.
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On Sunday we will go to Carlisle with RATH AN IUIR (3.40) who will make his first appearance of the season. It can’t be soft enough for him so hopefully there’s plenty of rain. His aim is the Borders National at Kelso in early December so this race is a good starting point for him. He’s a course winner at Carlisle so this seemed like the logical place to kick off his campaign.
BEING TED (4.13) will go in the bumper and be ridden by Dylan Johnson. He finished down the field at Newcastle on his debut, is going well at home and hopefully we’ll see a step forward from him this weekend after getting a summer on his back.
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We said that Limerick Leader was the only one who knew how he’d run at Wetherby and it turns out he was in the mood after all! It was great to see him travel through the race so well and see it out to finish third. After Sedgefield’s blowout we wanted him to show us on the track what we see at home and we’re delighted he did. Hopefully that’s the penny dropping and we’ll have some fun ahead with him.