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Starting 2018 back to zero is a little daunting. We send 2 to Dundalk tomorrow to try and get things moving for the new year. The Christmas period was a nice opportunity to switch off a little and regain some perspective and Beach Bar’s win helped with that. Alcatraz runs in the 7f rated race and I’m looking forward to seeing him again. I thought he ran nicely the first day and Gary was pleased with him. He appears to have taken that race well. Ideally he wants to go a mile and if he jumps slowly (as is his wont) then he’ll be vulnerable having to slot in especially if they don’t go quick. He’s a horse I’m mad about but he has a terrible win record which is surprising as his exercise is as good as anything I have had.   Indian Tomahawk runs in division one of the 65 extended 10f handicap. He’s very well and would be dangerous if he can get out anyway quick from his draw in 1. He has been contriving to throw away his races by jumping poorly. I had him as fresh as I could have him the last day to try offset that tendency. It didn’t, he fell out of the stalls and had to go wide again. If he can get to the first bend forward of mid division then he should be competitive.   I’ve come to the conclusion that you need everything to fall perfectly for you on these Dundalk trips. You can go there with the right horse, right trip, right mark and not get involved. Beach Bar is a good example of that. On his 2nd to last start they went a sensible gallop causing him to pull too hard amongst horses before getting stopped twice finishing a well beaten 8th of 10. 2 weeks later they go a million miles an hour and it was as if the race was carefully choreographed for him. We’ll try and take the rough with the smooth and if we can run them enough the chances should come. Here’s to a 2018 with the occasional winner and a bit less worrying.