RATH AN IUIR (2.40) will take his place in the Highland National at Perth this afternoon, a race we thought about for him a couple of months ago. The good weather we’ve been having means the conditions are not what he’s really looking for but we’re hoping the watering will mean it’s good to soft at least because that’s the worst we’d want him to encounter.
He’s not had his ground at all this season, every race we’ve had pencilled in for him hasn’t been on proper soft going. But it’s three-miles-six so his stamina will have to come into play anyway and we think he prefers going right-handed, so if the conditions are fine for us running, we’ll hopefully get a decent showing from him.
LE CHEVAL NOIR (3.15) has had a stop-start season this year, he’s had a few niggles here and there and that’s stopped him realising his true potential so far. We know he’s a talented horse on his day when he gets his conditions because he’s another one who wants it softer. We are happy with him at home so we’ll give him a run and see how he gets on.
Finally we run CAILIN DEARG (4.18), above, who has been an absolute star for us this season, winning a couple at Sedgefield and going close there in another race. She was a bit run off her feet at Musselburgh in the mares’ final recently so did very well to stay on for fourth place. That was a really gusty performance, she’s a real genuine mare and we hope she will love it around here. I would very much hope she’ll be in the shake-up again.
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Sadly our conditional jockey Dylan Johnson broke his leg badly at Perth on Wednesday, which is a huge shame for him. He’s done really well since joining us and rode his first winner for the yard on Cliffs of Dooneen only last week, so this was the last thing he needed.
He’s had an operation and we’re just waiting to hear what the prognosis is for him and how long he’ll be out for. It’s really unfortunate and hopefully we’ll see him back as soon as possible.