Shirleys Gold Well at Fairyhouse and Colonel Maximus at Limerick

After Scealai Aonair getting us off the mark with a place at Cork, I was hoping that would be the start of a few places or maybe even a win. Colonel Maximus went to Limerick with the ground still very, very soft. Seamus Perry is a young conditional jockey who took 7Ibs off the 11st 6Ibs the horse was supposed to be carrying. Seamus had him up about 3rd the whole way round and got him into a lovely position to attack as they came round the final bend but like Fairy Flute at Dundalk he just didn't have another gear. There was talk beforehand from Zoe or Alex on the app that he was facing his last few chances but the reports after this race was that he was running well and the ground had gone against him. I think he deserves at least one run on better ground before they move him on. He was fine after the race and the next day.

Shirleys Gold Well followed up her season debut at Down Royal with a run in a bumper at Fairyhouse. Lisa O' Neill was on board and she was fancied for a place by Sporting Life but not even her experience could get Shirley into the reckoning. She was mid division most of the way but looked like she was going all out down the back straight and then fell away badly. Lisa reported after that Shirley was making a noise and thinks she'll benefit from a tongue tie and if that doesn't work might need a wind op. She was fine after and the next day.

Bettatogether was due to race last week as well but was lame coming out of the walker the morning of the race. The yard were worried about him because the vet wasn't sure what was wrong and he had to have an x ray. Thankfully nothing showed up on x ray and he was taking it easy for a few days before getting back into it again.