Punchestown Mon, 24th Feb, 2025  Johnny Cakes He has a great bunch of owners. It’s a partnership that I put together between a few guys I know and met. It’s their first winner as a partnership. I thought he’d run well in Clonmel, but I’d say he got away with murder at home over Christmas. He races a bit lazy and we figured that out in Clonmel the last day and changed his training regime a little bit. I think it’s made a big difference. Tiernan is a free 5lb and it’s great to have him on side. I hope he feels the same and it’s good to be part of our team. The team of staff that I have at home at the moment are second to none, I have the most amazing bunch of people around me and I’m very fortunate. Tiernan is fortunate to have them around him too, and him and I are in a good place. The horses have been running very consistently for four years. We mightn’t have a good horse, but the horses are running very consistently. We are trying to build and find a better type of horse and get our level of quality up a little bit. It’s a slow burner and hard work, but I feel that we are getting there.

Punchestown Mon, 24th Feb, 2025  Without Exception We went up to Down Royal thinking we were going to get a dig in the ground, but it was like summer good ground on the chase course and he just didn’t act on it. The plan was to try and find a handicap chase, but there wasn’t one so we said we’d come back for a handicap hurdle. He loves soft ground and I think he’d be better on the main track here as he’s such a big lad. I said to Tiernan to stay out wide, he is riding with unbelievable confidence. He’s a great guy and I’m very lucky he’s associated with us. John (Leckey) is a super owner, he’s a great supported and is with me for years. He never interferes, just let’s me tip away at it. He has a huge interest and is a great guy. I’m very lucky with the people I have around me.

Clonmel Thu, 13th Feb, 2025  Ar Nos Na Gaoithe The filly and the owner Noel Keena deserve it hugely. It is very much a family syndicate and what an amazing family from Wicklow they are. It is the first horse they have with me and they came to me last year and bought this filly cheaply. The amount of fun they have got our of her is immense and they have a second one in training now. This is a small summery little mare who runs her heart out every day. I told the owners that I didn't know which day she would win but that we'll just have to keep trying and she'd get her day. Phidelma is a massive part of the team and is very lucky for us as well. She never makes too many mistakes in those amateur or ladies' riders races and is a huge asset around the yard at home.