Barracks gifted Down Royal opener

L'attesa back with a bang

He was the standout in the race and Shane was confident. We'll be back to the North to go chasing. I'd say Downpatrick next time. He has run well there before. He has been in good form the last few weeks but we were waiting for the ground to dry up. This was the best we could get so we took our chance. The plan was to go chasing but after this we'll see. Barry said he travelled strongly and jumped well. They went so hard in front and he was left in front too soon to pick up the pieces. He'll maybe run again in the next two or three weeks but it depends on the ground.

Tyrrell lands touch for Stronge

The best horse did win but he doesn't do much in front. He jumped everything brilliantly and then when he asked him to jump two he put down on him when he's in front. We were expecting a good run the last day but it was heavy ground. We were always hopeful on better ground and we were praying the rain didn't come. He showed that he is better on better ground. He needs a flat, galloping track. He ran here at the November meeting and the third horse won the Imperial Cup. That's the type of maiden hurdle you are running in. Stepping up in trip will suit him. He'll get up to three miles no problem. He'll probably be out in a month or so. Maybe we'll go to Navan. The hill might keep him straight.

Gold Cup winner Harrington on mark at Maze

Brassil doubles up on Francs

Maple on top in hunter chase

We went with a plan last week (against Foxrock) to track him and stay away from him. They people said afterwards 'why didn't you make use of your weight advantage?' but sure there is no way to beat a 160-rated horse. You are never going to be right,. They only crawled at Gowran and really only sprinted over the last three. She is actually in better shape probably today than before Gowran Park. She's the kind of mare that if you leave her off she stops eating so she can go back-to-back no bother. There's no hassle there. But I was impressed with her today the way she went away from the last. I'm delighted for her as this is her final season. She is going to a stallion. It's great to get this under her belt. She's probably the hardiest one I've ever trained. She might go for the Joseph O'Reilly. I'd be wary of Aintree as she is coming to the end of her career but we'll see.

Sarah Dazzles bookies in last

 .We always thought an awful lot of her but she was so cowardly. In her races she would back off,. Katie (Walsh) rode her and said she was very weak and Derek O'Connor rode her and said she was very green. She jumped the road in Punchestown. I gave her a run over hurdles to try and make something of her because she wasn't able to show it on the track. That's great today and she got the bonus. She is going to be a chaser and I want to go chasing with her sooner rather than later. She might go for a nice hurdle race first.