Navan Sat, 21st Sep, 2024  Bucaneer's Spirit He's like something you would see in the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham! . Two wins, a second and a third for us from four runs - so all is good. He is improving, physically as well. He is not the finished article. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

Curragh Sun, 15th Sep, 2024  Spirit D'or it was a big call from Gavin to bring her over here and I got a good kick out of that as myself and Gavin worked in Jim Bolger's many moons ago, so that's our connection. He rang me during the week and we had a talk about whether it was worth bringing her and we both thought it was a good idea. Little fish are nice and it's a great pot to get. I'm very grateful to Gavin, he didn't forget from all those years ago and we're quite close. It was a great training performance, as she's not simple either. watching her videos and speaking to everyone involved she is quite a forward-going filly. Going that last (extra) furlong was a little bit of an unknown but we thought if she did things right, she'd see it out. She has a great attitude, she's tough. I maybe got there sooner than ideal but I didn't want to break her momentum.

Down Royal Fri, 6th Sep, 2024  Betsen He's such a strong-travelling horse -he's sort of my version of Harchibald I suppose! . He has a lot of ability and I'd say he would be seen to best effect six furlongs, little bit kinder ground. . I'm glad I have him in the Renaissance (Group 3 at the Curragh) at the end of September. I think that is going to be his optimum and that is one of the first things Billy said. . That (runner-up run in Navan) says it all- I mean Givemethebeatboys is a proper high-class horse. I thought we were going to win that day. Actually just hit the front and Givemethebeatboys battled back and nailed us. . That's the sort of horse I think I am dealing with and the future is bright. . I have learned that sort of less is more sometimes (headgear). The horse is genuine and we kept it simple. When you put the top guys up, you can put a lot of trust in them.

Cork Fri, 16th Aug, 2024  Bucaneer's Spirit He looks like he has been a great claim really as he finished second for me first-time-out at Tipperary last week and there was plenty to build on from that. From what I had seen at home, I thought he'd improve from it. I actually saw him going down to the start at Dundalk and he immediately caught the eye, as he looked like a horse who shouldn't be running in a claimer. He had a good action, was a very big horse and flew home for second having had little luck in-running from stall 14. I thought he was value for E5,000. . His owner Staton Flurry is from Arkansas, is a prominent owner in America and this is his first foray into European racing so I'm delighted to train a winner for him.