I think we learned some lessons at Nottingham on Monday when we had a very satisfying Derby trialstake double with litter brothers Clonbrien Prince (29.61) and Clonbrien Swift (29.66).
We also had four trialists. Lenson Blinder did 29.82 and improved on last week – I think. I still find the going allowances a bit confusing.
The inexperienced Ballydoyle Valor went better than I had hoped with a 29.80 run. The Clona Blaze beat Nice Charmer by a length in 30.09.
I think the first lesson was a reminder that Nottingham is a much tougher 500 metres than the Shelbourne equivalent, though that should play into the hands of the ‘575’ dogs like Blinder and the Clonbriens. Less so Clona Blaze, who only just gets the Shelbourne trip.
I also noticed that the hare is kept a lot shorter than in Ireland. As a result, some of the dogs are stepping out at the first bend. I think it affects some dogs more than others but all the more reason why the Irish dogs will need two or three looks at the place, in my opinion.
Lastly, I was very impressed how they maintain the track with the tractor going around between every six trials.
The plan- at least as of today – is to give the two Clonbriens a trial each next Monday and possibly enter up to four of the others in trialstakes.
However you view it, an English Derby raid is a big commitment.
We were up at 3.30am on Monday morning and Nicki was on the road with the six dogs by 4.15am.
You have to stop several times to allow the dogs to empty out on the way and the journey from the ferry to the track is around three and a half hours.
Coming back, she arrived for the 2am ferry with half an hour to spare and arrived back home in Golden at 10.30 am on Tuesday morning.
The dogs were galloped early because we were ‘a woman down’ but when Nicki arrived home she insisted on helping me with 14 youngsters going to Clonmel for trials.
I don’t know what I would do without her. If I’d been on that schedule it would put me in bed for a week. Just don’t tell her.
There is still plenty going on in Ireland and we were lucky enough to win the Gain Waterford Masters with Blue East.
We originally had four in the final but had to withdraw Rural Vic (T1) which worked out ideally for Blue East from trap two, who only likes to pass dogs on the inside. Newinn Lester ran a great race in defeat and Slippy Cian wasn’t far away in fourth.
As for Blue East, I would never have thought him capable of getting the Nottingham 500 metres, and I would have some reservations, but owner Larry O’Rourke is a great sportsman and would love to go to the English Derby so he may well get a trial and we’ll take it from there.
We also have four through to the semi finals of the Cesarewitch at Mullingar.
Drive On Tipp is well drawn in the first semi final, he loves the red jacket. The other three: Macaroon Cruz (T3), Beaming Paradise (T4) and Totos Park (T6) are all drawn against each other and I am hoping they don’t get in each other’s way.
Of the three, Totos Park looks by far the best drawn, particularly since I’m not sure that Cruz has really taken to the tight bends.
I previously mentioned the latest litter out of Ballydoyle Honey who have now qualified over 525.
Normally I would try to keep my cards close to my chest about a youngster, though I don’t think a Jan ’18 son of Ballydoyle Honey would go unnoticed on any racecard.
So look out for Rathcoole Fox who clocked 29.47 in his qualifying trial. I don’t like to get carried away, but I do think he has something about him.
