Whip Mark battles well to land Fairyhouse opener

Kevin said the step-up to seven would help. He stayed on well and he is a full-brother to Roches Cross that won in Listowel in June. He is progressive and he is coming along physically and mentally. We'll see how the handicapper treats him now.

Look At Me a name to remember

Cleary gains a welcome winner

A winner at last! We were hoping she'd run well as she has been working very well at home. We knew she'd like the soft ground and she stays at it and is very tough. Davy gave her a great ride and hopefully she'll be able to win another race like that.

Stand To Attention gives connections big pay-day

He only cost two grand but we've always thought a lot of him. The plan was one run and then here and it's worked out. He is a fair horse and Chris gave him a brilliant ride. He wouldn't want it rattling fast but he should be fine on anything else. The Young Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Racing Club lease him off me and it's my first winner for them. Prize-money wise that's my biggest win. Stand To Attention is very big but he is strong and mature. He will step-up to Pattern company next.

Aladdins & O'Brien just do enough

At least the handicapper can't give him too much for that. He hasn't stopped improving and I didn't think the ground would be a problem as he has gone on winter ground before. The plan was to go hurdling but that could be shelved now. Hopefully there's another little flat race in him. He pulls himself up in front and he was probably getting to the end of his tether. He being that bit older probably helped on that ground against the younger horses.

O'Brien doubles up on Waydownsouth

He'll stay at this game until the end of the year. He'll go hurdling then because he does stay well. I'm delighted to see Joseph winning after the near thing in the last. That horse jammed-on (Aladdins Cave) and thankfully he held on as it would have been terrible on a young rider for that to happen.

Carroll ahead again in race to be top apprentice

He loves the ground, it makes all the difference to him. He likes a bit of cover too which he didn't get last time at the Curragh. Gary gave him a great ride. He'll go to Gowran (next Saturday) for a mile handicap. He'll go to the Horses In Training Sale then and he'll make someone a nice hurdler as he jumps well.