Dundalk March 13th
Tomorrow’s Dundalk goes ahead behind closed doors. That’ll be a strange experience, there’s a good buzz over in the bars and restaurants but the show goes on without. We have 2. Golden Valour goes in the 10f handicap. He’s drawn 8 and it’s quite competitive. He’s had a little break since his run before Christmas, he could need the run but he shouldn’t. He has plenty of work done and while he looks a bit burly I think that’s just him. Since we got him last year, his work has been very good but he hasn’t been doing it on the track, despite winning. Being simplistic, his work Monday last has him very well in but it’s not been as simple as that with him. I’m not sure why. He should take a big step forward at some stage this year, tomorrow will be interesting. Global Pass goes immediately after. I encouraged his owner to pull stumps after his last disappointing run and he did. I wanted him as a lead horse and he kindly left him with me. Time has passed, his problems have gradually disappeared and because of his new job he started to find a bit of fitness and wellbeing. I wanted to have another look at him on the track and tomorrow I get to see if I can get him back to his 3 year old form. He is a very well handicapped horse if I did. This lad is nearly 17 hands and all legs. When he comes under pressure he flails, when he flails, he strikes into himself and like biting your cheek it happens again and gets worse etc. He has stopped and needs to go through this race quietly and find a rhythm and if he does and beats 6 or 8 them I’ll be happy. If he does as he was doing last year and disappoints then he can go back to babysitting 2 year olds. We’ll see

2017 Richard O'Brien Racing Limited