Onyx shines on debut

She always went well last year but went a bit wrong behind. I think she was just growing and is one of those big, rangy fillies. I thought she might need the run today but Ben said she was very professional. She got through the ground but will appreciate it a bit better. He said she gave him a good feel and it’s a nice surprise to see her win like that.

Belle secures quick double for Coen and Murtagh

I was more confident after the first race as the three fillies all went up Walsh’s Hill nicely together last week. I thought coming here to win around Gowran first time is hard. I did expect them to run well and they might hit the board. This is a nice filly — big, tall and should improve a nice bit from the run. That’s a nice trip for her and she definitely wants better ground. It’s nice to be winning these maidens this time of year because you know you have decent horses. They are going to have to step up but they could.

Fozzy Stack strikes in claimer with Sauce

If he’s not claimed we’ll put him in something similar again. They are a great idea these claimers and I think all the low grade handicaps should be claimers. It gets a bit of trade going.

Esculenta proves tough to record first win

It’s brilliant to get her head in front and that will probably do her confidence good. Dylan said she has a great cruising speed but flattens out a bit in the finish. The owners (Ballygallon Stud) would love to get a bit of black type for her, maybe a Listed race at a sharp track making the running. Dylan said you could drop her back to seven. She is a good honest filly and it’s a lovely pot to win today.

Shin clings on for first win at Gowran

She’s a lovely filly and I really loved the way she stuck her neck down there. It was a very close call. Her last run was great and I was hoping she would step forward from that. I haven’t done much with her since then as she is lean, narrow and doesn’t take an awful lot of work. It’s just a matter of keeping her sweet. The (Never Give Up) syndicate are relatives of Mark Enright so I’m glad that he rode her today. They own Molly’s Gamble as well and they have had great fun with her and they should have fun with this one as well.

Bunyan filly in the Money again at Gowran

A cosy success for Express and the Slatterys

Sequoia in good Spirits on seasonal debut

He’s a hardy little horse and we gave him a good break this time. He just loves his work and thrives from work and racing. The dead ground helped him. He’ll mix it now between the Flat and hurdles for the summer and hopefully we’ll have a bit of fun with him. We’ll be aiming for the likes of Killarney and he was unlucky in Listowel last year.