Results Galway Sat, 30th Jul, 2022

Merlin Giant puts it all together in Ballybrit

He's a bit of a character. It's great to see him come back fresh and well in himself,. It's great to see him gallop up that hill for a change and stick his neck out. He galloped to the line and put to bed any questions about him getting up that hill. He's probably a bit deceiving in that he travels away strongly but he's not actually that keen. Donagh wouldn't have been at his max trying to hold him or anything like that. He's a very sensitive horse, and he can be a bit flighty, but it's probably not as bad as it looks. We put the red hood on him for the preliminaries here on Wednesday and took it off at the start. He ran a bit keen on Wednesday but Michael (O'Sullivan) was very happy with him and gave him a great ride. It just didn't happen for whatever reason, but today he has put it all together. The season revolves around this for the Mee's horses and it's great to be able to get another one on the board. The ground was definitely a worry coming in. It's an old racing line and I told Donagh we probably had to go four sections wide. It was the first race and we picked the best of the ground. He was told to keep it uncomplicated, jump off fourth or fifth. He's a great jumper and it's lovely to see him do that when they are showing that at home. He has a great attitude for it. He's potentially a nice horse going forward.

Hallowed Star signals another 'Shark' attack in Galway

Rachael was super and the horse was super. He was keen in her hands and she had the brains to let him roll on. When you are up there you are out of trouble. She was very good on him, as she is on them all. She rode one of her first winners here for the Mees on Camlann so it's great to have her back in the colours and get another winner for them. For me it's some week to win two feature races in Galway. We have only a small team of horses and to have two features going home is unbelievable. I have to thank the staff at home and Rachel, my partner. Without them I'd be no-one and it's the same with every trainer, without the staff they are no-one. It's a tough time with staff, expensive times. For any small trainers out there I'd say keep at it because you'll get there. This means so much to everyone that is involved in horses. It's a tough time on owners as well because everything has gone so expensive. It's a good crowd today and the other day they were five deep all around when Hewick won (Galway Plate). It's unreal and when they see a small trainer winning they are always there to support them.

Serious Challenge does Bolger family proud

Saraqael storms home for Cody

He's a lovely horse. He could go further, but on that ground I was happy enough he had enough pace for a mile,. When we step up in trip I'd say he'll be better. Billy said he'll get a mile and a half down the line if we need to. He travelled fierce well and Billy said he can only improve as he still rides very raw. It's only his third run and he's a big green horse, even for around here he's a big unit. He ran through the line really well and I'm delighted with him. He's progressing and I was in no panic after Gowran, we said we'd give him a nice break. He's better when he has an ease. Billy said he'll handle all grounds but even at home he loves an ease in the ground and the more rain that came the more confident I was today. We'll see what the handicapper does and he's a horse that could end up getting black-type on the Flat, I don't think he's too bad and there is a lot more to come. We might look for a winners race and see what the owners want to do, they are brilliant supporters of mine. Every year they give me two or three and it's great to get a winner for them here.

Pandora Lovegood gets her ideal ground in Galway

She's always shown that at home, she's a nice genuine filly and we love her. She's probably 7lb better on soft ground and I think she's improving all the time. I think she'll make a way better three-year-old. We have her entered in the Debutante and we'll see how she comes out of it. We were delighted to see the rain come and driving up I was more confident the more rain we got.

Excuzio Joe gets her Galway reward

Declan rode her here on Tuesday night and said if he had got out he'd nearly have won. It was a cracking run and I was glad to see the rain come today as that's the ground that she wants. She won on heavy ground here over seven furlongs two years ago so we weren't worried about the ground. She pricked (her ears) and was idling a bit so that's a good sign, Declan reckon she was holding a bit. We'll maybe look at Listowel now and Declan said to try and keep her to that ground.

Plan comes together for British-raider Aqwaam

Carrigmoorna Queen lands the odds for Mullins

It was a very nice performance and she built on her first run. The rain was a nice advantage for her, coming when it did. Patrick kept it simple and she galloped the whole way to the line. I think she's a mare to go off jumping hurdles now. She has a lovely stout jumping pedigree. She has size and scope and I think she'll go on through the winter. That's our plan anyway.