The National finished and the top prize claimed - Jockeys took a moment on April 5th to comment about the race and the performance of the horses.  As I noted previously on this blog - these are the kind of comments that we should be paying attention to.  How did the horses perform and react to the environment and events around them?  How did the jockey feel about the ride and about the horse’s performance overall?  These are all clues that provide us with much-needed insight about these horses.

1st Place - Timmy Murphy on Comply or Die:

“It’s everybody’s dream to win the National.  David (Pipe) has prepared Comply or Die fabulously and said going out he was a certainty and wouldn’t get beat, so what mroe can you ask for?”

2nd Place - Paul Carberry on King Johns Castle:

“I was a bit short at the second-last but he winged the last and I thought I was going to pick Timmy up at the Elbow.  But he pulled out a bit more.  The whole way up the straight I thought I was going to get there.”

3rd Place - David Casey on Snowy Morning:

“He ran great, he jumped super and I just wish I had held on to him a bit longer, but he gave me a super ride.  When Hedgehunter won I’d schooled him round for Ruby (Walsh) the year before and the same might happen again.”

4th Place - Berry Geraghty on Slim Pickings:

“He ran a blinder, I had a great spin off him and I just said to the lads it is the best craic you’ll have all year.  He’s only nine so hopefully he’ll be back next year.”

5th Place - Denis O’Regan on Bewleys Berry:

“A brilliant run.  I got a great run and he jumped great.  He probably didn’t get home, but he’s run to his mark.”

It’s always fascinating to listen to what the jockey’s say about their rides after a big race - and to pick out the clues that give us that special insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each horse.

 (All quotes courtesy of attheraces.com)