Spirit Gal wins Naas' opener

it think she's a good filly. She's in a Listed race at Fairyhouse, she'll go for a bit of black-type and I think she'll get it. There are a few races coming up for her, one in Dundalk and there is also one in France that Willie was thinking about. She's a smart filly and Seamie likes her a lot. I respect his judgement as he's ridden plenty of good ones and it isn't that easy for him to like one.

Smurfit's juvenile overcomes problems aplenty

that was a nice surprise - we have him in a claimer next Monday so I don't think we'll go there!. we thought he trialled okay but he got tired the last little bit. I was talking to Tony Smurfit (owner) and I told him he's a handy horse, is tough and hardy - we might be more ambitious than that. He was going very well in the spring but behaved badly and we gelded him. Since he came back, his work has been kind of ordinary but he's obviously better on the track. Ben said when he got knocked-down he thought his chance was gone but as soon as he saw daylight he quickened up really well. He's still plenty green so he should come on a nice bit. I've nothing in mind, we'll have to stick him in a stakes race or winners race and see where he is. I'm delighted for Tony because we haven't been having many winners for him and he's been a great supporter. I'm sure he would have got a good kick out of that one.

Dascombe delivers with Sportsman's success

It’s been an unbelievable journey this last 10 months and I’ve been lucky enough to have some really, really good people stick with me. This horse left me on December 12 because the owners didn’t want him to be trained by someone they hadn’t chosen and he came back to me on April 1 because by then I’d got a yard. That little boy, Felix Natalis — what a superstar. He’s never let me down, he’s learned on the job, he’s run good race after good race and today he smashed it. I’m so pleased for everybody concerned because we’ve all gone through the same journey and it’s immense for us to have a good quality horse who was inexpensive (€20,000) in the grand scheme of things because that’s where I started and that’s where I’m back to. We probably ought to sell him now, but I won’t! We’ve got no plans, this was the long-term project. I thought he’d be gelded by now and going to the sales, but we’ll have to rethink that won’t we?

Wakai Umi wins on nursery debut

she's has been slightly tricky but now she's straightened out and has come good. She's always shown that speed and it's lovely that she's now matured with racing. I think it's the sire - they are sharp and precocious. She was ahead of herself but now she's learned how to race and Shane was very good on her. We'll see how she goes now and maybe go for something like that again. He picked the right side and I was delighted because I think this side in Naas is more favoured - he took the bull by the horns and was very good on her. The filly was good as well and she's progressed lovely. Fair play to the owners (Ballymullen Stud Farm) as they've been patient.

Aurifodina causes upset for Bolger & McAteer

Lee draws level in title battle

in Bellewstown he (Betterdaysrcoming) jumped the road and ducked at things so we wanted a nice big honest track and Billy knows him now. It looks like he wants every yard of a mile. I. He jumped and travelled, won it snugly enough and seems very versatile ground wise. He's in the auction race final here next month, I stuck him in yesterday, and I wouldn't discount stepping him up into stakes company. We'll see what is left — there is the Eyrefield Stakes and a couple of other options. his companion is in the Beresford next week, a horse that hasn't run yet. It's something I would consider, I know it's big talk, but it does seem that he wants the mile now. He's a horse that we'll look forward to, he's growing, maturing and strengthening. He's copping on to things which is a good start.

Harrington's American-bred colt wins Naas finale

that was very impressive and he's a gorgeous horse. He only came to us in June and has always done everything so easy. Obviously his sire (Bolt D'oro) is a sensation in America on the dirt and it's exciting for him to have a turf horse here. We'll have a chat with the owners and see where he goes next. I think he's Kentucky-bred and there are plenty of bonuses and stuff to be won out there. He's very exciting for next season.