Be Positive gets Festival off to great start

It was a good performance from a five-year-old. He loved that ground and he bounced off it. It was his first run over banks and he took to them well. He got a great ride from Nina. We're so fortunate to have her. We miss J T (McNamara) terrible and she learned so much from him.

Faugheen a super super sub

Vautour failed a late fitness test so I popped this fellow in. Hopefully he'll (Vautour) run later in the week though. This fellow likes going on at his hurdles and I was happy enough that he could take Vautour's place. Vautour will have no problem going two and a half anyway. That was very good on fast ground considering he was running on heavy all winter. It was a fair performance against those sort of horses. We'll have to consider staying hurdling next season. We bought him as a chaser but it's no harm having another good hurdler. Certainly on that performance you'd have to be thinking about all that (a Champion Hurdle campaign). We'll have to evaluate what else is in the yard and what else the owner has but he certainly could be one to keep hurdling. I think this trip is good enough for him. The only reason he didn't run at two miles all winter is because we had enough two mile horses and we knew he would stay. If you said to me that he'd put up a performance like that I'd have said it would be tough be he did it well. I think Vautour would have done that and better though. This fellow was sloppy at one or two of them but Vautour wouldn't have done that . he'd have been over them and gone.

Henderson gets one on the board early

It's a nice way to start - to get something on the board,.

Fitting finale for Sizing Europe

Burke off the mark for Mullins in Land Rover

We were hoping for the best. I thought he might improve and run on but I didn't think he would do that. That's the first bit of work he's ever won . he's just green. We had him away the other morning for a gallop and he bucked off David Casey. He's green and immature. I gave about double (12K) what I wanted to give for him at the sales. He's a half-brother to Jessies Dream. It looks good now and I only sold him there lately. Johnny rides out for us during the holidays and anytime he has a spare moment he comes in during the week. I'd imagine that's his first winner for me . I don't think he's ridden a winner for me before.

Another big day for Carlingford Lough

It's a great finish to the year. He's always been consistent . we just have to freshen him up and bring him back and he delivers. He deserves a holiday now and we'll see what happens next year. The fall of the year will tell us a lot. He's a very easy horse to train once we discovered how to train him. Every horse is different and he likes a little break after his races. He came with his run a little too soon at Fairyhouse (in the Drinmore when second to Don Cossack) .

Day 1 rounded off in cracking style by Rules

He's potentially a very, very nice horse. We've always liked him. He's a stayer with speed and that's obviously what I enjoy training. We've taken our time with him . we've been very patient. He's only four and there's lots to look forward too. I'll speak to the owners and we'll decide what to do. He might even be left off for the summer.