Man O Work puts in another good shift

We always knew he was a nice horse and he was running a big, big race at Fairyhouse (in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle) when he came down but the young lad (Cian Cullinan) was confident he would have given the winner a run for his money. Cian unfortunately broke his thumb and would have been riding him today but didn't pass fit. He couldn't claim in the graded race at Fairyhouse and could have claimed today so it was unfortunate. In fairness, it was a good performance and I don't know where we're going with him. That was the first time he got a smack behind the saddle and he responded. He is a pretty decent little horse but I didn't think he had enough experience to run in the Boodles Hurdle at Cheltenham. I thought he had the quality and the rating for it but he had never run on the flat and I didn't think he had enough racing experience run there. Apart form the ones gone to Cheltenham, he is probably the best of the rest and we'll talk to the owner regarding plans. I don't know what is left for him in Ireland except Grade Ones and that is a big step up.

Chloe claims Limerick's feature

she had been promising that all year, she is a staying mare who needs soft ground. It came too soon after her Wexford win but today's conditions were perfect and these graded races don't come so often, so you have to take your chances. All credit to all the lads at home and she got a great ride - he (5lbs claimer O'Connor) is an excellent young man and has a bright future. She is a soft ground mare so we won't get carried away and Punchestown's ground can come up quick enough. Fairyhouse is a month away so we'll cool our jets now and see what happens. breeding is our game, we have a lot of broodmares and have this family for 25 years. It has been so good to us and keeps throwing up winners. We just train our own fillies and this is out Cheltenham, we're thrilled. I'm delighted for Tadhg who has been with me for years.

Angels Dawn sprouts wings in Limerick

She was due that, she had great form and it all came together today. She didn't handle the track (Punchestown's inside track) the last day and she also had a couple of very hard races and I'd say it took her a long time to get over them. She has black-type, loves that winter ground and I'll talk to Alfie (Sweetnam, owner) who is very keen to go chasing with her but I'll look for another mares' hurdle next.

Enright at double on Native Gold

He surprised us how well he ran the last day - he hadn't run for a year and we were saying he was a very slow horse and would he every win one. . He is so slow and Philip said he was nearly pulling up in front but when the horses came around him, he picked it up again and went on. He is just an idle boy. We had a few problems with him over the years and when I had him handicapped, he must have entered him up 20 times but was balloted and balloted and balloted.

Holiday In Kerry rewards Forever Optimists Syndicate

He has been a bit disappointing since we got him but he is a grand horse and loves heavy ground and wants a trip. He's a horse you probably won't see until Limerick next Christmas. He won by 11 lengths off 85 today, but hopefully the handicapper won't put him out of the 80-95 bracket as he was left clear at the last. It was a moderate race but it was grand to win one for the lads and hopefully he'll win again. The owners (Forever Optimists Syndicate) are Kerry-based and have had horses with us through the years but without success, so it is lovely to get this.

El Barra justifies long odds-on favouritism

Balkito shows his staying prowess

It was a surprise as I thought the handicapper had him after the last day. He is a big, slow horse but jumps grand and that is a big help around here and with the rain we've had overnight, it was loose ground. He hasn't had much mileage on him and mightn't run again this year unless it came up soft or heavy.

Hunters Yarn seals Mullins' brace in Limerick

He has a lot of ability and it was getting late in the season to lose his novice status so Willie wanted to go back for a bumper and keep him for a novice for next year. His hurdles run the last day was a long way below his best, he must have had some setback but I don't know off the top of my head. His work is very good and that's more like it. He is definitely a graded horse and maybe he'll go for one of those good bumpers in the spring, but he could also go for a graded hurdle. If he won it, great, and if he didn't he would still be a novice for next season.