Count To Five hits bookmakers for six

She had a good run at Cork and then had a bit of a setback so she was kept for this year. She hasn’t done an awful lot at home. We thought she had the ability to get through this type of race. Everything fell into place and Gary (Carroll) gave her a great ride. We’ll see what the handicapper does and plot a course from there.

'Natural advantage' helps Oliver to Sligo successes

he’s well-bred so we expected a bit from him. I trained his half-brother Shatharaat who I bought cheaply off Mark Johnston and he won well on his first start for me, but had issues afterwards and they caught up with him. Another half-sister of his won a Group 3. he showed us a little bit last year, we haven’t done an awful lot with him this year and he’s improved from his first run. I like the way he fully got the trip (six furlongs) and it looked like he needed every yard of it. He has the toe for six and stays further so it gives us plenty of options. We were quite hopeful today but it’s easy to say that after the race!. Part of the reason we’re lucky here is that we train on a right-handed track going up a hill so our horses tend have a natural advantage.

Celtic Manor wins on debut for new connections

Seventh win for Tai Sing Yeh

he’s so consistent and the last time he finished out of the first five was July 2021 which is no mean feat in the competitive racing in Ireland. Donagh (O’Connor) was excellent on him. From stall 13 he managed to get him over to make the running, steadied it going up the hill and then quickened again. To hold on was brilliant and it was a perfect ride. He’s won over five, six, and seven, on all types of ground, galloping tracks, round tracks. This is like a right-handed Chester but he’s won at the likes of Naas and Ayr as well. He’s so versatile and I’m thrilled with him. I’m delighted for the owner (Hugh Ward) who’s not well at the moment and I hope that will give him a lift.

Mikey O'Connor trains first flat winner

it’s nice to get this one on the board and it was a cool ride. Jack's agent Ken Whelan told me this lad can ride and he was right!. I only have the horse about six weeks and a great bunch of lads from Cork City own him. I’ve had a bit of luck for these owners before and win, lose or draw they enjoy their racing. He likes a bit of ease in the ground and he probably has a good enough mark over hurdles but he hasn’t got the bottle for it. Hopefully that might come right in time.

Consecutive wins for Rosscarbery

this looked the logical next step after her maiden win in Dundalk. She had plenty of racing experience going into her first handicap run and I was delighted with the way it went. She had form on that type of ground and being by Sea The Stars, out of a mare by Authorized, she’s bred to stay. The fact that she could do what she did over a mile on the all-weather was probably to her credit. We’ll see what her owner (Robert Moran) would like to do with her next.

Brothers complete Crosse-card double