Tullybeg takes opener at Downpatrick

He’s a grand horse and he’ll do his job. He enjoyed that trip and there is improvement to come. He’ll jump a fence in time.

Laughing Trix wins and delights her backers

He (Conor Maxwell) thought jumping the last that he was home as one thing she does do is keep galloping. She’s a grand mare and I always thought she would win a race somewhere along the line. She won her point-to-point first-time out and has just disappointed a bit. Everything came well today — the ground and the stiff track and she just kept plugging out. He (Maxwell) does ride the track well. She is in next week (at Kilbeggan) and we’ll see how she is but if the ground is the way it is we might go again.

Farceur Du Large off the mark in good style

I’ve been expecting that performance for quite some time — I never thought we would be coming here to run in a non winners’ maiden hurdle. He has always worked well at home and we always thought plenty of him. He’s a gorgeous-looking horse, you would think looking at him he is every inch a chaser. Whether he stays over hurdles or goes over fences, I wouldn’t know as I will have to talk to Eddie and Michael (O’Leary). He probably will stay over hurdles. He’ll build on that, he didn’t really handle the track that well but stayed on well. Sean just said he thought he was a lot stronger and more together horse than he was before. I’d say that wasn’t a bad race.

Beacon justifies short price on return

He couldn’t have done it any easier. We’ll have to talk with Eddie and Michael (O’Leary) about whether he goes over fences or stays over hurdles. . I suppose we didn’t learn a lot there other than the fact he is well and that he jumped brilliant. Sean said he didn’t really handle the track that well and when he was in front he was a bit lairy. If he stays over hurdles he will go for those conditions hurdle races. I think two and a half (miles) might suit him better and I’ve felt that all along. He can be dragged into a race rather than sort of push it a bit over two miles. It wouldn’t be beyond a possibility that he will go chasing now, we’ll see. He’s a gorgeous horse and a beautifully-made horse. Nicky Richards bought him and sold him and Nicky was crying because he had nobody to buy him. It was killing Nicky to let him go. He won a bumper in Ayr and Eddie and myself loved him. . We had him racing twice recently and took him out as we were afraid of the ground. . It is a testament to Richard (Lyttle) and his team here that we were not afraid to bring him to Downpatrick. This racecourse has improved so much in the last few years. It’s a credit to the team.

Meyler conjures late charge from Bealach

Rubiana runs out ready winner

Rubiana came to me a year ago and she has been second and placed. She seems to love it around here and JJ gave her a brilliant ride. She did it really well. I expected her to run well but when I looked up and saw she was favourite I wasn’t expecting that. I didn’t know if the trip would be ideal but there was nothing else for her coming up. The ground suited her perfectly, it didn’t suit her last week in Punchestown and went against her. I have 16 in at the minute and I’m in Dromara, Co Down — only 20 minutes from here.

Maneuver completes Meade treble in bumper

He has matured well and has been working very well at home. He didn’t surprise me doing that. I don’t know how good a bumper it was but he did it well. He jumps well, so he’ll go jumping. He’ll be a hurdler for the season I would imagine. The horses are flying but I never take it for granted.