Front-running works a treat for Rock

We went back to the old tactics that worked at Ballinrobe, being up there fighting and enjoying it. He jumped quite well and he'll have to go the novice route now. He is a nice horse, we won't aim too high but the big guns have to come out yet and we'll hope to sneak somewhere along the way. I think with ease in the ground and running up the hill was a help today as he was dropping back to two miles.

Falak bounces back in claiming hurdle

Military storms up Hill for jumps win

You'd have to be happy with that. I just didn't know ground-wise with him as he has never run for me on that ground. I felt he wanted easier ground but that's proper national hunt ground. A horse fell in front of him on his first start over hurdles and he could never get back into it again but he has never galloped for me on that type of ground so it was an unknown. He looks to have taken to hurdles well and I left a bit for improvement too. I'm based in north county Dublin not far from Croke Park, I could hear the shouting (for the All-Ireland on Saturday).

Western powers to Victory in mares hurdle

That was a very good performance and Sean's seven pounds helped in that ground. She'll probably get a hike for that so we'll see what the handicapper does but there's a Listed mares' hurdle at Gowran in two weeks as she didn't have a majorly hard race there. Her form behind Honeysuckle last season was decent and she had won around here before. We have her 10 weeks.

Thra strikes back at Galway

He stayed at it up the hill and is a tough horse. Michael and Pierce (Mee) love Galway and its great to have a winner for them at Galway. He is improving the whole time and Milan is a good solid sire. I think he can go up in trip and a little better ground might suit him better also.

Charlie stays Stoutly to wear down Stormey

Early rewards backers on handicap chase debut

It was great that he won as I was doubting that he would work out for us,. His early form over hurdles and fences was poor enough and I don't think it was an extra special race but it was great to come out of the right side of it and win. We thought he was in good order and were hoping he'd run well but it was an ordinary contest and he was at the right end of it today with the low weight and soft ground in his favour. It's great to have a winner as I haven't had one in a long time and thanks to J.P. for supporting me, he has one other horse with me. It is hard to find good ones but we'll keep trying. We'll see how he comes out of the race, it was a tough enough race and we'll have a chat with Frank (Berry, racing manager) and see.

Meghan makes winning debut in bumper

she is a nice filly and is well bred. We have her under a year and have brought her along from scratch. She has a great attitude and has always pleased us and has come along slowly. We thought she had done enough for today but would need the experience and Richie gave her a very nice ride. She did some good work at the end and showed a good attitude. I'm delighted for the owners (Jason Trotter & William David Hogg) who have showed great interest and it gives me great satisfaction to do it for people who appreciate it as much. We'll see where we go from here.