Aintree Thu, 8th Apr, 2021  Clan Des Obeaux When he’s been here before he’s had two hard races in the Gold Cup so the best thing we did was not take him there (Cheltenham), it makes such a big difference as it’s hard to do both. Perhaps he was disappointing at Newbury, but he did give 6lb to a good horse. It woke us up though as we realised we were probably getting the tactics wrong. We know to be positive on him now. Obviously next season the King George will be his number one aim, then back here and I’d like to go for the Denman again. If the ground is decent the Betfair at Haydock is a nice race for him — as is the Charlie Hall.

Leopardstown Mon, 28th Dec, 2020  A Plus Tard I knew Rachael (Blackmore) said to me before hand that she was going to sit upsides in front (on Minella Indo), and she was only a couple of lengths ahead of me so I wasn't worried. I sat away and had Paul Townend in front of me (on Allaho) and he (A Plus Tard) was pinging fences. When I gave him a squeeze after jumping the second last, he picked up and he galloped right to the line. After the back of the last I did (think I was going to get there). It was brilliant and I'm absolutely over the moon. I can't thank Henry de Bromhead enough - it's my first Grade One winner and my first winner for him. This lad had a real, live chance. There were a few questions about whether he stayed or not but he definitely stayed anyway. It was some finish, he was brilliant. He stayed really well and it was a super ride from Darragh. It was unfortunate with Minella Indo but he seems okay which is the most important thing and Rachael seems okay. It's very frustrating but I'm delighted for A Plus Tard, for Darragh and for Cheveley Park. It was a brilliant ride from Darragh, he was very cool on him. I said it to Chris Richardstown about Darragh and he was very happy after Rachael decided to go with Minella Indo. He's an up-and-coming young rider and we were delighted to get him. He stayed on really well in the end. I thought he was staying on in the Ryanair last season and he definitely stayed on really well there. He won a Grade 1 here over two-one last year and now he's won over three miles. H

Fairyhouse Sat, 12th Dec, 2020  Sizing Pottsie two miles and heavy ground is what he wants. Once he got to the front he was very lairy and lazy. He went clear very quickly at the second last. The two-mile handicap in Leopardstown has a cap of 150 on it. He’s not in the Graded race at Leopardstown and neither is Impact Factor; one will wait for the Dan Moore here and one might go to England for a two-mile handicap. I’d say Impact Factor will come here. They both want soft ground and it’s nice to have them.