Experienced jockey at the top of his game

Ten years on from his championship-winning season Declan McDonogh remains one of Ireland's top jockeys. He recently enjoyed a successful Galway festival, riding four winners including the two main Flat prizes of the week on the Andy Slattery-trained pair Creggs Pipes and Planchart, while he also rode leading Ebor Handicap hope Ivan Grozny to an impressive win. Riding at the top of his game, McDonogh talks about those horses and his season in general

TOH When you rode Ivan Grozny to an impressive win at the recent Galway festival, you described him as the best stayer you've ridden. What did you like most about Willie Mullins' Ebor candidate?
DMcD I loved the way he travelled through the race and the pace he showed at different stages. He quickened up really well in the straight and won by 14 lengths. It mightn't have been the strongest of races but he really impressed me. I mightn't have ridden many great stayers but he struck me as a seriously good horse.

TOH You had a good Galway with only Pat Smullen riding more winners at the festival, and you won the two big Flat races of the week – the Colm Quinn BMW Premier Mile Handicap on Creggs Pipes and the Listed Corrib Fillies Stakes on Planchart, both for Andy Slattery. Creggs Pipes made all and yet you said she didn't handle the track that well.
DMcD She hung left all the way down the back and I had both my hands on the right rein. When we turned to race downhill she straightened up and she was good in the home straight. She just does what she has to do but she's improving all the time and won't be out of place at Group level.