Killarney Thu, 18th Jul, 2024  The Gray Ghost We thought he'd win the last day but Pa (King, jockey) came in and said he got his tongue over the bit. He is a devil for that so we tied down his tongue today - he has never made a noise but fiddles with it. In fairness to Pa he gave us invaluable feedback. We were wicked disappointed the last day as we think he is a fair horse and she gave him a lovely ride today. He is a big baby and is for sale. He is owned by my landlords Ray O'Connor and his partner Neasa Haverty, who are friends of mine and I'm delighted for them. It is the second time Neasa's colours have been worn and the first was by a horse which fell, when going to win a point-to-point and was sold afterwards.

Gowran Park Mon, 17th Jun, 2024  Influential Lady She has been absolutely brilliant and it's hard not to love her, . She is very very consistent in everything we ask her to do and we're very lucky to have her. She had a lovely run the last day in Leopardstown when she came home well and while I worried that her style of running mightn't suit Gowran, Wayne was brilliant on her and it is all about having confidence.

Limerick Wed, 12th Jun, 2024  Killeemore Lad It is great as the lads who are mainly based in Cork and mainly Urlingford in Kilkenny. They bought this lad during the year and he won in Hexham and Kilbeggan last year. I think he is improving and I ran him today with 10st1lb as I want to go for the amateur handicap at Galway with him, if he can get in off bottom weight. Andrew thinks he is improving all the time. He was unlucky in Listowel the last day when he was drawn 1 but missed the break, so it was game over although he stayed on at the finish. He needs to have good ground, he could go chasing and hopefully they'll continue to have great fun with him.

Listowel Mon, 3rd Jun, 2024  Minx Tiara She is maturing with age and being in foal (to Hurricane Lane) seems to have got her to finish out her races better. She was always a great mare but just wasn't able to finish out her races. The handicapper was fair to her after she won the last day and there is now a 0-140 E80,000 race for her in Galway. She is in such good form that she might run in that and that will be her last race. She has been a great servant for our small yard and has taken us to places we only dreamed of - she finished second in Leopardstown and has run against the big boys. To have a winner in Killarney and here is fantastic and she is owned by a great bunch of lads.

Killarney Sun, 12th May, 2024  Minx Tiara Minx Tiara is confirmed in-foal to Hurricane Lane so maybe that brought out that extra bit of improvement. We put her back over hurdles because she was better treated over hurdles and while she had a great run at Leopardstown (February), went to Sandown but the (UK) handicapper put us to the cross by giving us 11lb more. She also didn't eat when she went over and the ground was also really tacky which she doesn't like. I was delighted she got balloted out of a hot race at Punchestown (a fortnight ago) as I probably wouldn't have ran her here. she has a high cruising speed, likes to go a good gallop and while she might be a soft finisher, you have to use her early pace. She was initially bought for 1,000 quid in Goresbridge and as she was showing a bit at home, the Fastey For Fun Syndicate bought her and have had great fun with her. She has been placed and has picked up big prizemoney in bigger races. Breeding is a long game and we aren't into it, so we'll probably sell her off at the end of the year and hope to replace her.

Punchestown Tue, 30th Apr, 2024  Banbridge It was a fantastic race, a great two-mile chase, and a fantastic ride from JJ. I'm delighted for Ronnie and everyone to have a big winner here in Punchestown,. It wasn't our day in Cheltenham but delighted to win a big race here today. He's been a fantastic horse and Ronnie's patience through the Autumn when the ground wasn't right for us was really what won the race for us today. We were ready to run and had to wait. Ronnie said to wait and when the ground comes right we'd have him for the big day. Today we had a fresh horse, it's only his third run of the season. I'm so delighted to win a big one with him, for the horse as well as Ronnie and all connections. It was fantastic ride form JJ, he saved it all for when he needed it at the back of the last. I wasn't sure when he crossed the line but as Ronnie said he was in front where he needed to be. We know what conditions the horse performs on and the form-book is pretty obvious when you look at all his runs. On better ground his runs are all very good and when it gets softer, for whatever reason, he doesn't performer as well. We took the chance at Cheltenham because it's Cheltenham but it didn't work out. We freshened him up to come here and I'm delighted to win a big race with him.

Wexford Thu, 25th Apr, 2024  Doyen Ta Win She likes it here, she likes going left-handed. I think the race on Sunday helped her because she jumped better. It was only her first chase on Sunday and I toyed with the idea of running her today, I don't like running horses back quick. I had a chat with my father on Sunday evening and he said to go back and watch the reply as she hadn't had a hard race. We spoke to the syndicate and decided we'd run her as she likes it here. It's great to pick up another (ITBA) bonus. She's going to be covered by Arctic Cosmos and when she's on foal she'll run away for the summer. That'll be it then, she's done her job. Arctic Cosmos is a big sort, she's not the biggest in the world, he's throwing good horses and he's great value. The Hannons (Old Road Stud in Tallow) have a great stud and they deserve a chance.

Bellewstown Wed, 24th Apr, 2024  Me Wee Bonnie Lass Absolutely (likeable mare with a good attitude), and she was actually quite green there today. I think it is only her fourth run of her life and you'd forget that. She's going the right way and is a nice mare. She has won on heavy as well. I'm not sure where we will go next, but she has taken a few scalps there. It is great for the owners, they only live down in Duleek. Great to have a local winner.

Tipperary Tue, 23rd Apr, 2024  The Busy Fool He is big raw horse, we took our time with him and he is improving. The nicer ground has brought out improvement as well and that will sharpen him. He had been placed in three maiden hurdles at good winter tracks and hopefully he will come forward now. I'll see how he is tomorrow and we might keep him for another fortnight or let him off and forget about him until maybe Down Royal next November. He won't see a chase fence for 12 months.