Stage strikes for Nicholls

It’s been a tough week so far, but it’s a tough place,. We were a little bit unlucky yesterday with a couple, but that was brilliant. Different track, slightly better ground, it was always going to suit us. I said to Harry today ‘be positive, bowl along in front and ride him like the best horse in the race’. He gave him a peach of a ride there.

Good Times again for Martin

He was last at the top of the hill but had the patience to wait, and it worked out well. The horse had been coming on real well since Leopardstown and this is great for Liam. When they turned in and started to pick up I knew he would win. Liam never chased him. This man has shown when he gets the rub of the green he’s as good as anyone. He hasn’t always enjoyed the breaks you hope for, but when I want to claim I wouldn’t look past him.

Envoi hits the headlines again at Cheltenham

It’s great for the Thompsons (Cheveley Park Stud) as they are great supporters of ours and the industry. It’s just brilliant. I kept saying to Richard (Thompson) that he is as good as he was before he went to Kempton, I was so happy with him before the King George, we really fancied him, but like a few of ours who went to England in the first half of the season, he just never showed up. A Plus Tard (Betfair Chase) and Arctic Bresil (Ladbrokes Trophy) just never ran their races. Nothing came to light, A Plus Tard had obvious reasons but not the other two. They were all beaten after four fences. I thought it might have been water and various other bits but anyway we left no stone and whatever we did seems to be working again. I was really happy the whole race, but there was a chance he was doing too much. He was jumping so well. Rachael felt early on he might have been doing too much, but then he settled. He’s a class horse. Everyone was delighted with him and I was hoping he would put his best foot forward and he did.

Sire springs Stayers' shock

After a hurdle or two I knew he was in a good rhythm. Of course it’s a surprise, but Sire Du Berlais can do that — he’s either first or last. He stayed on well up the hill in fairness to him and Mark (Walsh) gave him a brilliant ride. It’s great to win the race. We were beaten a short head in a Grade One yesterday (with Gerri Colombe), but it’s a great game and it’s great to be here. We couldn’t get him qualified for the Pertemps Final. It just didn’t work out for us with ground one day and he probably didn’t look that well handicapped. He doesn’t do anything too exciting as he minds himself, but that’s why he’s still going at his age. I thought Teahupoo would win. He travelled into it and ran well.

McConnells celebrating again after Switch win

Sheehan shines on You Wear It Well