SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW ✅ Ft. DEREK FOX ⭐ Ayr Racecourse | Weekend Horse Racing Tips 🏇

Champ.ie Horse Racing Podcast (Season 7 | Episode 31) 🏇

Proudly sponsored by BOYLE Sports, Gowran Park Racecourse, EJ Menswear, Shamrock Thoroughbreds, Midland Travel & McCafferty’s Traditonal Irish Bars. 

On today’s show, Champ.ie's Barry Doyle & David Byrnes look ahead to the Scottish Grand National Festival at Ayr Racecourse this weekend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This week’s Champ.ie Special Guest is jockey Derek Fox who will ride Scottish National favourite King of Answers.

Agenda:

✅ Scottish Grand National Preview
✅ Scottish Champion Hurdle Preview
✅ Chat with Derek Fox
✅ Weekend Best Bets 🏇

Best of luck!

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:01

Hello, and you're all very welcome along to the Ladies Champ of the E podcast. Premier Horse Racing Podcast in association with ball and sports, Gormont E. Gentlemen's work's midland travel, and the cafe's traditional Irish bars. Enter our Champalae headline competition in association with Midland Travel, where you can win a trip or two to the Cheltenham Festival 2026. For a chance to win, simply subscribe to the Champalae Podcast on YouTube if you haven't already and scan the QR code to enter your competition details today. We look forward to discussing your weekly hashtag FiveCast elections in the comment section below. Well, hello, and you're all very welcome along to the latest edition of the Chantalae Horse Racing Podcast in association with Gorham Park, Boil Sports, EJ Minsware, Shamrock Thoroughbreds, McCafferty's Irish Bars, Midland Travel, and we are delighted as always to have your company this week as we build up to the action at Air. It's Scottish Grand National Weekend. It's been Grand National Weeks over the last couple. Here are the races this week that we look at. We look at uh the 110 at air on Saturday, the brand handicap chase. We also look at the uh novice champion handicap 145 on Saturday, the Scottish Champion hurdle, the Mayor's Handicap Hurdle, and the big one itself, the Four Mile Scottish Grand National, due off at 3.35 on Saturday. As always, Barry Doyle will be with me to preview all five races ahead of uh air this weekend. But before we go on, we have a very special guest this week and Derek Fox. And let's hear just a little from Derek and what's coming up later in his interview.

SPEAKER_00 1:51

Straight on is one I'm really looking forward to, even into next season. I think he had a very clean run through, but he's just one of those with a very hopefully as it does a very natural ability and a high cruising speed, and a horse will stay very well in the future as well. And he's just like a horse that can just keep keep progressing on.

SPEAKER_04 2:13

Yes, looking forward to hearing Derek Fox in full as he's got a big weekend ahead. And uh Barry, looking forward to another action pack show. But I suppose before we kick off, it was just another nap last weekend for you as you continue the absolute brilliant role with brighter days ahead. And uh, wasn't she superb at the entry last week for Gordon Elliott?

SPEAKER_02 2:33

Yeah, certainly was, Dave. Look, I thought it was a match between the two, uh, the new line and uh brighter days ahead. And to be fair, she was getting the allowance. I mean, she was six pounds well in, as we said, uh, on official uh ratings, and I suppose given the fact that she was getting wet up and trip. Uh was nice to see Gordon, I suppose, have a have a great entry festival as well, Dave. Look, lots has been spoken about Shelton and etc. But to bang in a couple of great ones at entry was big for Gordon and uh still in the mix, I suppose, mathematically, when it comes to the Irish Trainers Championship. Look forward to discussing all things punches town, of course, on episode number 33, I do believe, Dave, of the podcast for the season. But yeah, on a little bit of a roll, I suppose, Dave. Let's uh try to keep it going with the naps uh heading in towards uh air, Dave. And uh yeah, we'll look forward to hearing from Derek Fox later on in the show as well. But a good week and uh not as many trucks coming from close southern this year up in Scotland.

SPEAKER_04 3:24

No, not as many, uh and I'm sure there'll be many thankful of that as well. Right, we uh kick it all off with uh the opening race we're going to look at. It's the 1-10 on Saturday. And I suppose what's significant here, uh Barry, is that uh Gavin Cromwell, his only entry of the weekend uh at uh air, run is entered in this uh handicapped chase.

SPEAKER_02 3:41

Yeah, I thought she was an interesting runner, Dave. Linez crew. Uh six to one is available, Dave. And uh look, if she did line up here, she'd be you know carrying a feather weight. I thought she was really interesting. On her French form, Dave, she's been handed a UK mark of 132, which I thought was you know really, really fair. If you look at her French form and penultimate run at our tie, we haven't seen her, I suppose, since the turn of the year, and she's been given time to adjust. Um, but I like that run and penultimate start in outside. She's two for four over fences, she jumped brilliant over the two-mile one and penultimate start in a tie. Um, that was on heavy ground, but I like the way I suppose I like the way how she jumped throughout the race. A lovely way of going, this mayor. She's a daughter of no risk at all. There, she's only five. Um, so you'd have to think there's more improvement to come. I loved the way she picked up off the back of the lash. She went away to win by uh 12 lengths going away. I liked how she hit the line, and I suppose the form of that run got a bit of a boost um with the second on that occasion. 12 lengths second went on to uh to win a grade uh grade three over fences uh by um by six lengths. So the form couldn't be working out any better, Dave. Um she's going to be carrying a feather weight here. The race itself, look, Palacio, I thought of 132, how much wiggle room did he have off that? I'm not entirely sure. Sam Brew, it'll be a pretty quick turnaround for finishing third at 8-3. Um, you know, if he turns out again. I thought he was opposable. And Trapin Law, will there be enough rain uh between now and Saturday uh for him? So the race looks winnable. Rob Corr obviously picked this mare up at Linez Crewe for 320 uh K. So, you know, a fair lofty, I suppose, price tag, Dave. And I think she could be uh smart and a nice recruit for Gavin Cromwell. So if she lines up here, very, very interesting, six to one available, Linez Crew in the opening contest. That was more than fair, I thought.

SPEAKER_04 5:25

Right. Well, we move on to the uh second race we're going to look at is the 145 at Ayr. It's the three-mile novices champion handicap chase. And as we record, I suppose the big question is are we likely to see Quebecwa here? Because that's also entered in the Scottish Grand National.

SPEAKER_02 5:39

Yeah, well, Dave, I don't think uh I don't think Quebecwa is a three-miler, and I don't think he'd stay a four-mile in a horse box, to be honest. So I think this definitely of the two races, I know connections like they're like their winners up in air, and um obviously they target this meeting every year. He has two in here, possibly Calafe Alval as well. I just think Quebecwa would probably be better, would probably have a better chance in this race. Um look, Johnny Hugh went on to Frank the Ultima form, didn't he, in the in the Grand National last week. So um he would have a chance. He'd have a big weight to carry. Does he really stay at three miles Quebec wa? The jury's out for me. Look, if he didn't line up and he goes for the Scottish National, there's an interesting runner. You have to wait until Dex to play this one, Dave. But if it did sneak in, it probably would be running from out of the handicap, one or two pounds out of the handicap. The horse is called King Calafay uh for Emma Levelle. Dave, he's a big Ron Furnished son of Calafay. Um loved how he won at Newbury uh on his most recent uh start. And look, he's only had six runs, he's an unexposed uh seven-year-old for Emma Lavell. And I thought the step up and trip Dave to two miles really suited uh King Calafay. He'll be, you know, he'll have no weight at all. Harry Cobden was on board last time, and he only needed um, you know, one flick to go on away and uh and win his race. A 31 snug at the line and you know, 113 Dave. I'd say he's a nice bit better than that. So I would play him each way. He's 16 to 1. He'd probably be shorter, Dave, if he's declared. Um, but yeah, King Calafay, wait till decks, but he's interested.

SPEAKER_04 7:06

Right, we move on to uh race three, which of course is the Scottish champion hurdle. It's over two miles, it's a grade two. The Scoutons, what a week they had at Ain Tree last weekend with so many great winners. They've got the current favourite, but uh Tom Lacey's Gibbs Island, Barry. You've uh you've you've got a good case to make for this horse in the the Scottish champion on Saturday.

SPEAKER_02 7:25

Yeah, it's a really competitive race, obviously, Dave, but Gibbs Island, I just think Tom Lacey has been mining this horse all season. Now we saw Gibbs Island in the County hurdle last time out, and uh it was a really good run, to be fair, when finishing seventh. Um, you know, held up, went off a massive price 50 to 1. Um, I didn't think Stan Shepherd was over hard on the horse whatsoever. Met a little bit of traffic trouble, and he was only beaten six lengths in the end in the county hurdle, and he's been dropped the pound to 133 um as about the start of the season. He was rated 140, so he's been creeping down the way. I thought he could be very competitive off 133, Dave, just 10 stone six for a yard at the moment, uh, in absolutely flying form. 33% strike rate for Tom Lacey. He's a good team of horses heading up there. He's a chance, obviously, in the big one at a Scottish National as well, uh, with the JP runner. But as I said, I think he's been minding him. Um, it seems like we're building up to a crescendo this season for Gibbs Island, and at the price, it's 12 to 1 each way. I thought he was a good each way bet in the uh in the Scottish Champion hurdle. The race itself, look, it is competitive. Dave, definitely you could make a case for plenty, but that county hurdle form looks strong, and I didn't think he was all out to finish seventh.

SPEAKER_04 8:33

Yeah, he's uh certainly going to be very much in the mix, but I think you've made a valid point. It is looking very ultra competitive. Right, that's our first three races looked at. We're now going to take our first outbreak on the show, and right after this, we will hear from our very special guest this week, Derek Fox.

unknown 8:51

Now morning.

SPEAKER_01 8:53

The trade of thought. Massachusetts cost and decision time.

SPEAKER_00 9:13

Back yourself. Boyle Sports.

SPEAKER_02 9:17

What are we getting to look forward to? Um, obviously, you're jocked up on the favour for the Scottish Grand National.

SPEAKER_00 9:23

Yeah, um very excited. Um, definitely for uh yeah, King of Answers is obviously uh coming off the back of a nice run at Cheltenham and uh yeah, really looking forward to him this weekend.

SPEAKER_02 9:34

You mentioned the Cheltenham run, Derek. Um a good second in the uh the national hunt chase. Did he um did he surprise you suppose how well he ran in that contest? He went off a big price.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

Yeah, he um he he'd won two two novice chases beforehand uh round Kelsa and he ran very well in a in a good small field novice down at Windsor. He was four to five runners, but I thought he stayed on really well that day at Windsor, although he was outpaced for the middle pair. So I was hoping that the extra six furlongs at Cheltenham was a three mile six chase that uh that would bring out more of his um strong points. He is by Malness, and they all stay very well. So um I was uh hopefully he'd be placed, and uh I was delighted then when he finished second.

SPEAKER_02 10:24

Just looking at the rating, look, he he's got three pounds without winning, but uh the form looks okay, and you mentioned the distance as well. I mean, instead of a Bob backmare as well, so you'd have to think uh the the the extreme trip at air would really suit him.

SPEAKER_00 10:37

Yeah, exactly. Um he's uh he's a very good looking horse, but he's only he's he's he's only um you know he's he's not the tallest horse we have by any means. He he's a nice size, you know, he he hasn't tremendous scope, so he has to be clever over his fences. If he's on a wrong stride, he has to take a short one, type of thing. But uh he's jumped very well so far, and um yeah, I think that extra experience that he got at Cheltenham will do him good in uh in a in a big field on Saturday.

SPEAKER_02 11:10

What about the race itself? And when we saw Haughty Calor go on to win the uh the Irish Grand National last season after running and winning in the national hunt chase, would you be in any way concerned? I suppose did he have a hard race? Seemed to take you a lot of the way himself, didn't he?

SPEAKER_00 11:24

He did, he did. He um I got well the plan was to settle him in a wee bit, and uh not to get I I thought that we thought they'd go quick uh in the national hunt chase, and they did. And uh so I was settling towards the back, but um he came through. He definitely was very tired after the line, he was a wee bit wobbly, so I had to dismount him at the top of the track. But uh since he's come home, he couldn't have been any better, and uh you know, every day you're taking him out of the tacking him up in the stable and stuff, he'd kick you and kick the wall and stuff, and he's got a great wee attitude to him. Um and he's you know, he's just a real positive little horse. He always goes around with a real busy wee walk on him, and um he seems in great form, so uh I don't think it's taken too much out of him, and I think he's in great shape uh leading up there.

SPEAKER_02 12:18

Look, you you've won two entry grand nationals, Derek, and uh it seems like every year we're talking about Licinda targeting one for the the Scottish Grand National. I mean, has this race been in your minds for a long time with this horse?

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Um I don't think so. I think uh it was one step at a time with him really. He done well over hurdles last year, and he he he took defences nicely, but he's as I say he's not the scorpiest horse ever in the world. So um Joe, it just took a run or run or two for him to probably show his show his best, and uh I see still improving. I think he's improved on again, even in his last run, it's probably his best run by a bit. And uh but he he as I say he is by malinass. With Cindovs, he trained a horse to win the Scottish National called um called uh Mighty Thunder, and uh he was a malness as well, and he actually wouldn't be unalike him to look at two uh almost black horses and uh similar size about 16-1 apiece. He's this look could be a wee bit handier than than um mighty thunder was, but uh yeah, I think it's an obvious enough race for him to go for and one that'll probably suit him very well.

SPEAKER_02 13:38

Sounds like you're you guys are quite hopeful.

SPEAKER_00 13:42

Yeah, listen, exactly. It's uh it's it's it's a Scottish national, and I'm not expecting it to be an easy race to win, but uh yeah, things are in his favour anyway, and uh he's in great shape, so we're look really looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_02 13:54

I I suppose from from your perspective, it's probably nice to see that Willie Mullins doesn't have two truckloads heading over this year.

SPEAKER_00 14:00

Exactly, exactly. Um definitely uh won't do any harm not to see Will Willie over anyway with uh with too many. Uh not as many as he had last year anyway, but um so that that that's always a plus.

SPEAKER_02 14:12

This weekend, I suppose, outside of uh King of Answers, uh what horse are you most looking forward to seeing from the team up there?

SPEAKER_00 14:20

Um I suppose it'll have to be straight on really. Um he's he's he's real listen, they're all they're all hopefully going there with with a good chance and they're not just there to take part. Um but I think straight on is one I'm really looking forward to even into next season. I think he hadn't had a very clean run through, but he's just one of those with a very hopefully as it does a very natural ability and high cruising speed, and a horse will stay very well in the future as well. And he's just like a horse that could just keep keep progressing on, and um, I'm just I'm just one I'm looking forward to in in general. So um listen, hopefully all all all of them are going there with a with a chance, and as I say, they're not just taking pairs, but I think straight on a pair from King of Answer, straight on is one I I always like to keep a close eye on at home.

SPEAKER_02 15:10

And just before we do let you go, Derek, um just want to talk the last time you were on the podcast, you for a horse to follow long term, you give us Apple Away. Is there any horse in the yard, I suppose, long term, a young horse that you think could say take the take the stable to to to some heights over the coming you know 12 to 24 months. Young horse, maybe to follow even into next year.

SPEAKER_00 15:32

Um yeah, funny you mention Apple away. I think because she is coming back and she will I think she's gonna run apart, and I think she's gonna go for the French champion hurdle, which will be exciting. It'll be great. They've never ridden in France. So if she does manage to get over for the French champion hurdle, that'll definitely be exciting. So I'm looking forward to her going over there. But I think um, as I said, they're straight on triple crowned head or two very nice novices that we had this year over hurdles, but into the future going forward, I think King of Answers has to be one I'll be um really looking forward to. I know he's has a very big day on Saturday, been a Scottish national, and that could be his gold cup, but he's still a novice, and he still has a lot more to give, and he could be uh one not just to go very listen see how he does on Saturday, and and obviously that that that is a very big day, but uh even onwards from the Scottish National, he's one I would be keeping a close eye on. I think he's gonna do good things again next year. I think there's uh there's more scope for improvement, and um yeah, I think he'll do well in them staying chases, but uh straight on and triple crowned head over fences next year will be two I'd keep a close eye on as well. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:55

Yes, you're very welcome back and uh brilliant to have Derek Fox. Great interview, Barry, and uh wishing him all the best for this weekend.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

Yes, and of course, uh all the lads down at EJ Menswear as well. Dave, uh, he is a native to County Sligo, of course, and EJ knows Derek. So uh they'll all be rooting as well for uh Derek in the big uh Scottish Grand National. Mighty Thunder, of course, took the race, I think it was 2021, uh, for Lacinda Russell. And as I said already, Dave, uh Woody Mullins, uh, not as many trucks heading over. Looks a more open race this year, with less of uh, I suppose, uh close-up and interest.

SPEAKER_04 17:26

Absolutely right. Let's move on then with our next race that we're looking at. It's the three-mile mayor's handicap hurdle. Uh, this is the 255 contest, Barry, Ed here on Saturday.

SPEAKER_02 17:36

Yes, David, I'm looking towards the uh head of the market and the head of the weights here. Love this, Mayor Dave. Uh, World of Fortunes has to get the vote here, Dave. She's uh priced up at five to one. I thought that was a decent price, Dave. Uh she's coming back into handicap company, three-time listed winner, including last time, of course, at Kelso. I thought she was really good for the Kenny stable. Uh, Jordan Gameford, he struck up a great partnership with the maybe. She's just ultra consistent, isn't she? Seven wins, Dave, from 16 starts. And um, you know, she's rarely out of the uh the money. I suppose the only thing she's been beaten, really, Dave, is when she stepped up to grade one and grade two company. So um I just think back into a handicap here. She'll have a big weight to carry, but there's lots in her favour. She handles the boat. I mean, two really good runs this season. She won at Kelsa and she ran brilliant at Doncaster. Lady Adiva, of course, did the form no harm whatsoever uh at the Cheltenham Festival. So that form looks strong. Um, so she handles the boat, uh, obviously comes over nicely. Um, nice ground. It's not going to be uh, you know, it's not going to be really testing grounded air, so that'll suit her. She's proven over three miles. There's a couple of these, Katira included, Dave, if she runs um, that actually have to prove themselves over three miles. She doesn't, she stays all day. And uh, as I said, look, I just think she ticks a lot of boxes for the race. She'll have a big weight to carry, but she's a mayor going in the right direction. There's a little bit maybe left off, 137 in terms of a UK mark there. So World of Fortunes 5-1. Each way they have 50 odds. I mean, I think it's a bet to not, and she's going to be in the in the picture.

SPEAKER_04 19:06

Right. Well, the big one on Saturday, of course, is the uh Scottish Grand National. It's as always going to be very competitive and open race. Going to be a run over the four miles here. Uh 3.55. We've had uh brilliant finish and a brilliant winner in the Irish Grand National, the English Grand National. Well, the Welsh Grand National just on uh the 26th or 27th of December. We leave the final national to the uh Scots and the four-mile contest, Barry, it's gonna take plenty of getting.

SPEAKER_02 19:31

It is, but this I just think this horse is is my nap of the weekend. King of Answers, I love this profile for this race. Ever since Cheltenham, really, I suppose he was on the radar prior to Cheltenham, but he went off a big price for the national hunt chase, Dave. And so I thought he was a real eye catcher when finishing second. Um Derek Fox, I thought he really took care of uh I thought he really took care of uh King of Answers. Um, you know, it wasn't overly hard. I just loved how he started passing horses from the back of the second last, hands and heels the whole way. And he really only got going, didn't he, after you know, three three miles and three and a quarter miles. Um and that was uh the most, I suppose, taken part for me was the further they went, the better this horse uh seemed to go. Delighted to hear Derek talk about this horse's well-being since Cheltenham he's come out of the race really well, he's been strongly supported in the market. And it looks a more open race, I suppose, the uh the Scottish National this year, Dave. We mentioned Woody Mullins, I mean he's gone for three in a row in the race, uh, Mac Dermak, Captain Cody last season, and he has uh rode to home in the in the Scottish National. I thought he was all out you know to finish second in the Kim Muir off 137. How much more I suppose is there to come from home this him this season? And with Paul Town and I mean Patrick rode in the Kim Muir, so we mightn't even see Paul over. Kim Rock, he's the proof stamina, he's only six, it's a tough race. Isaac De Zobo, he went off a massive price, uh Dave, uh, for the Midlands National. He did it impressively, but he's gone up in the weights. So uh to me, it doesn't I I would give Tom Lacey's heart each way a chance at Montreguard. He's only seven, Dave. Um he could be one maybe going in the right direction as well. But for me, King of Answers, uh, the National Hunt Chase form, Dave. Last season we saw Hottie Calor come on from Cheltenham and go on and win the Bile Sports Irish Grand National. This year, the form is starting to work out okay. The third in the national hunt chase won Big Bang. That was six in the Irish National. You were never going to beat uh Soldier of Milan, were you? I mean, he's he was a great horse in a handicap. I don't think there's one in here. Um, and the sixth way it out went back over hurdles, obviously and went at the A3 festival. So the form, you know, it's a it's it's a stacking up, I suppose, the National Hunt Chase form. If sitting the what won the race back in 2021 with Mighty Thunder, this would have been a target. And well be the horses, as as we've heard from Derek, um big big positive there. Big field handicap experience as well. It would have done him no harm whatsoever getting in amongst horses, Dave. Seventeen runners in the National Hunt Chase, and he passed half the field, more than half the field to finish second. So uh lots to like King of Answers, Dave. Nap at a weekend. That's six to one for me.

SPEAKER_04 22:00

Lovely job. Right, we're going to head into our final headbreak on the show, and right after this, we'll be back with the best bets and selections for this weekend.

SPEAKER_03 22:10

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SPEAKER_04 22:37

Barry, you've been on some roller coaster. Great couple of weeks with naps winning and uh bring us through the runners and naps that you put forward over the last couple of weeks.

SPEAKER_02 22:46

It's been a good couple of weeks, Dave. Long may continue, and so hopefully we have the nap up here for their own onto punches town, maybe for a five-timer with the naps. Um, yeah, come walk with me. Obviously, it was Fairy House Easter. We had the nap at eight to one, ten to one the more Rambler, of course, uh Cheltenham Festival. Colin King gave it an absolute peach and brighter days ahead, as you mentioned, top of the show, Dave. Uh a little bit more straightforward, but two to one got the job done. So we're gonna go with uh King of Answers. Uh six to one for the nap, as mentioned this week, Dave. I think look with a bit of luck and running, uh provided he gets a clear round. Um I just think he loves passing horses. He's an ideal profile for the race, and he'll be absolutely banged there. Six to one. I mean, I don't know what the bookies are playing, Dave. Boyle Sports, you get an extra place anyway. Definitely five places in the Scottish National, maybe even six. So keep an eye out for that, Dave. But um, you know, he's going to be uh banged there. Uh I think just six to one. I've liked him for the race, I suppose, ever since Cheltenham. Um next best, Dave. I thought Gavin Cromwell's, if it does run uh the mayor of the very first race on Saturday's card, has mentioned down to bottom of the way it's uh Linnae Crew um on her French form, 132. She could be well very well treated, a good jumper, has a turn of foot, a nice action as well, the nicer ground, I think about actually you could see this mayor improve. So um look, she could be six to one, Dave Linet Crew. That would be an ex best. And I mentioned Gavin Cromwell if he does run Secret Force, Dave. I was hoping we'd see this horse in the Boodles, but it didn't get in. Um but uh Secret Force I thought could be well handicapped. Uh owned, of course, uh by the uh five they like the winners up in there and the Scottish Grand National Meeting. Uh 124 rated, Dave. Uh had a run in listed company at Musselborough last time. Um, but off his mark, I thought there could be more to come from him. That's Secret Force on Friday's card if he runs in the 145. That would be a bet for me as well. The first race on Friday. So uh there we are, Dave, uh, as we build up the Punchestown as well, of course. Five cast elections that we do encourage uh the listeners to continue to put in their five-cast elections because you never know, Dave. We might give away maybe a pair of tickets uh or some cool prize maybe coming up to Punchestown. And we do have the awards like coming up as well, of course, on the show. Dave, that was a big hit last year, wasn't it? But that's uh that's to come as well. So um any contenders maybe for horse of the year? I was thinking Zanoush definitely worth uh nomination, Dave, for uh for horse of the year, maybe even Revelation the year. They were two categories last season, but Soldier in the land, that was some performance in the uh the Ball Sports Irish Grand National. He'll have to get a nomination for one of the categories as well, you'd have to think.

SPEAKER_04 25:14

Yes, absolutely. Plenty of headaches to be had around the nominations. And uh, of course, Barry, just to mention as well, Goran Park uh heading right in now as well to the flat season after what's been a really busy and and uh great national home season, but plenty of great flat racing to come at Gorham Park as well.

SPEAKER_02 25:30

Yes, as well. They've done great work in Goran, to be fair. You know, the the new members bar as well, of course, after opening as well. Uh the Gorham Park Classic, that was a real hit, wasn't it, of the last couple of seasons. Uh, and that's coming up, of course, as well. Uh big day on the on the calendar, a lot of surprise money as well, and a bit of international interest as well, Dave, I do believe. So um, yeah, the flat season, uh, you know, when the sun is shining in Gorn Park, we always talk about Tiesta's Day, Dave. But you're when you're in the top bar and you're you're you're you know you're you're having a point um for the flat season when the sun is shining at Gorn Park, looking out on the golf course. Um, you know, everyone associates Gorn Park with the Tiesta's Day, but the flat season, a nice evening in Gorn Park, a twilight card. Um, it's hard to beat that as well.

SPEAKER_04 26:12

Certainly is. Well, that uh brings us to another show, an end of show here on the Jam Todd E Horse Racing Podcast. Hope you've enjoyed it. We hope we found you some winners, and we look forward to coming back with you looking ahead to the uh magnificent four or five days at Punchistown Festival. But from Barry and I, have a great Scottish national weekend and thanks for watching. We're thinking about daily videos, we'll see for Punchistan. Midland Travel in Tolamore have been providing a full range of horse racing packages for over 20 years, catering for all types of budgets. Stephen and the team at Midland Travel can help you realise your sporting travel dreams. Midland Travel is the only company in Ireland that runs college and ferry packages from both Manchester United and Liverpool. Check out Midland Travel Company or contact 057 932 6777 for more information.