Performance Review

April 2023

It was nice to come away with three good winners for our efforts over the month of April.

Dave and Sarah Hyland have been patient with All Lies Ahead and I was delighted for them that she was able to make a winning return in a seven-furlong handicap at Leopardstown under Billy Lee. She’s done nothing wrong and also ran creditably when second off 8lb higher next time at Gowran Park, bumping into a younger filly there who was getting a big pull at the weights. Our mare held her own well against the other older horses in the line-up and our aim will be a big pot at Cork next month.

All Lies Ahead makes a winning return at Leopardstown

We got a smart two-year-old maiden winner on the board in the shape of Amazon Lady, ridden by Nathan Crosse, in a five-furlong maiden at Tipperary. She’s a fast and relaxed filly by Bungle Inthejungle, so hopefully she’s one to look forward to for Maurice and Madeline Burns. She’ll head to Cork next for the Listed Polonia Stakes.

Amazon Lady wins at Tipperary

It was really pleasing to see Any Dream Will Do get her head in front for the first time at Limerick for her owner-breeder John Connaughton. Jessica Maye got a good tune out of her in this handicap over a mile. She’s well bred and had been knocking on the door last season but seems to be more mature this year. The plan is also for her to go to Cork next month.

There was a nice step in the right direction from Elmo Lincoln when finishing second on his handicap debut at Gowran Park over seven furlongs. He tried to make all and nearly managed to do that, only finding one too good. Fingers crossed he’ll get his turn and run well again next time for the Breakfast Club Syndicate.

I thought it was a good debut run from Collage when finishing second in a fillies’ maiden at Gowran Park for Clipper Logistics. She’s a nice, big, lazy filly who might even prove to be a better four-year-old than three-year-old. The winner has gone on to frank the form by winning on her next start at the Curragh, so hopefully that bodes well for this filly by Churchill.

Any Dream Will Do gets her head in front at Limerick

Firm Handshake was another who showed up well on his debut at Cork when coming home strongly for third in a mile maiden. He’s a big horse and we’ve earmarked a median auction maiden for him at Leopardstown. On the same weekend, Fernao also did some nice late work to finish third at Limerick on his first start. He’s a well-bred four-year-old who can hopefully progress for owner-breeders Ballylinch Stud. The plan is to go to Killarney next month for a mile maiden.

Thunder Dance, a filly by Night Of Thunder owned by Mel Sutcliffe, ran a decent race on her debut when third at Cork and probably wasn’t suited by the track at Sligo when a bit disappointing next time. We’ll get her back to a straighter track for her next run. Love Ya looks a decent filly who wasn’t beaten far on her debut at Dundalk when third behind a couple of smart types. Her aim will be the Listed First Flier Stakes at the Curragh, but nice ground will suit her best.

Last but not least, Downforce ran well when fourth in a competitive sprint handicap at Cork. He’s had a few quick runs and it didn’t work out for him on his last start at the Curragh, so we’ll wait and see about where he goes next, looking for a bit of soft ground.

All in all, it was nice to see some promising runs from our young horses in maidens during the month, and hopefully they’ll continue to go the right way. I’m very much looking forward to seeing more of our two-year-olds in action over the coming weeks too. Having nice young horses on the team is always important.