I didn’t enjoy watching it at all. Last year we were coming in under the radar and this year we are favourite for the Arkle and expected to win,. It’s a horse race and anything can go wrong, but the way he jumped today he’s vindicated what we have seen from his schooling — he’s an absolute natural. He’s only three-quarters fit today and Michael said he gave a little bit of a blow. He was a little gassy early on, but you couldn’t ask for any more than that. The ground is described as soft, but there is a bottom to it. He goes on every ground, but probably wouldn’t like heavy ground. He’s just class with a super engine. Barry Connell

After race at Punchestown Tue, 29th Apr, 2025 (1st)  We missed a lot of our novice season last year so it was a slow build, and I felt the horse had improved every run and had improved again from Cheltenham and we were proved right. He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner going forward. Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all of the storied horses over the years. He’s only eight and that’s his 12th run — he has no mileage on the clock, and he grows an extra leg in Cheltenham. He’s so laidback, goes through the gears and just does enough. He doesn’t burn any extra petrol than what he needs. He’s the most wonderful creature and everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. Garrett (Cotter) rides him every day, Mandy looks after him — it’s just a great success for Kildare as there are not too many National Hunt horses trained in Kildare anymore. We only have 13 or 14 horses riding out and we are able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition. This is the horse of a lifetime and we are going to mind him and you’ll see him back in Cheltenham next year and he won’t be 10/1 like he was this morning! Barry Connell

After race at Cheltenham Wed, 12th Mar, 2025 (1st)  It’s very poignant and it’s very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible and my thoughts and prayers are with the family, his friends and his girlfriend. I think this is hopefully a fitting tribute to him. B Connell

After race at Leopardstown Wed, 27th Dec, 2023 (1st)  I didn’t enjoy watching it at all. Last year we were coming in under the radar and this year we are favourite for the Arkle and expected to win,. It’s a horse race and anything can go wrong, but the way he jumped today he’s vindicated what we have seen from his schooling – he’s an absolute natural. He’s only three-quarters fit today and Michael said he gave a little bit of a blow. He was a little gassy early on, but you couldn’t ask for any more than that. The ground is described as soft, but there is a bottom to it. He goes on every ground, but probably wouldn’t like heavy ground. He’s just class with a super engine. Barry Connell

After race at Leopardstown Wed, 27th Dec, 2023 (1st)  I didn’t enjoy watching it at all. Last year we were coming in under the radar and this year we are favourite for the Arkle and expected to win. It’s a horse race and anything can go wrong but the way he jumped today he’s vindicated what we have seen from his schooling — he’s an absolute natural. He’s only three-quarters fit today, and Michael said he gave a little bit of a blow. He was a little gassy early on, but you couldn’t ask for any more than that. The ground is described as soft but there is a bottom to it. He goes on every ground but probably wouldn’t like heavy ground. He’s just class with a super engine and when you marry that with how efficient he jumps. He’ll come back here for the Irish Arkle, then the Arkle and hopefully on to Punchestown. The script writes itself this year. He’s the horse of a lifetime and I’m just blessed that he came into our yard. They are one in ten thousand these horses. He’s taken a bit longer this year to get fit than last year as he had a proper break for ten weeks but he’s a tall athletic horse and comes to hand quick enough. If you look at the list of Supreme Novice Hurdle winners, there are plenty that just didn’t train on and that was an added pressure. He had a little wind operation before he went out at the end of last season, and we put a tongue strap on him today. We just thought it might improve him a bit. Barry Connell

After race at Cheltenham Tue, 14th Mar, 2023 (1st)  Barry being confident didn’t put pressure on me, but I suppose the punters took it into account and that brings a small bit of pressure but I can only do what I can do. Barry put his neck out and he was right. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. It’s a bit surreal and it won’t sink in yet, this year has been so good it’s hard to appreciate it, I don’t think it can be topped but I’m just enjoying every minute of it. It’s the best feeling of all time. I put a lot of pressure on myself saying he was the best horse in the race, but I genuinely felt he’s the best horse I’ve ever had. I came over on the boat and I told every Irish person on there to back the two horses (Marine Nationale and Good Land (who runs on Wednesday). I said they were the best two novices in Ireland, so at least I’m off the hook partially after today! I’d have had to go back in disguise if we’d got beat. This horse is unlike any horse I’ve had before as the previous Grade One horses were mainly stayers. This is a quick horse who is probably a Group One horse on the Flat — and we might get around to that at some stage. Today was his day. He’s had five runs and won all five runs, his jockey is a superstar and my staff are the best staff anywhere in the world. We’re absolutely blessed to have found the next superstar of the weighing room in Michael O’Sullivan, you mark his name. Have you eve B Connell

After race at Fairyhouse Sun, 4th Dec, 2022 (1st)  He travelled away, jumped and settled. He nearly threw it away at the last with a bunny hop, but he dug in. It was the first time he’s ever been off the bridle in his life, and he had to be tough. I didn’t know what he’d do off the bridle. Sometimes these bridle horses, they don’t find a whole lot, but you’d love the way he battled and toughed it out. I’m thrilled to have him. I thought the ground was gone for him today, to be honest. He had been running away on good ground, and this was the softest ground he had. We ride him for speed. He’s actually a flat-bred horse, so we were always going to sit in behind the fancied ones and have a go. There’s no point in setting up a target. He’ll improve again from that, and is a genuine Grade One horse now, so happy days. Barry Connell

After race at Punchestown Wed, 12th Oct, 2022 (1st)  He jumped well and has schooled well at home. Sam Curling had him as a four-year-old and he was ready to run in point-to-points so he had loads of that done. Barry Connell

After race at Killarney Sat, 20th Aug, 2022 (1st)  He did what I expected and probably hasn't done any more than he did at Punchestown. They were proper winter horses in Punchestown and this was a summer bumper but it is nice to confirm it wasn't a flash in the pan. He has a grand relaxed temperament which is a big plus, we're thrilled and he looks a decent prospect. He was in Sam Curling's, has plenty jumping done and we bought him before he was to run in a four-yearold point-to-point. Barry Connell

After race at Punchestown Sat, 28th May, 2022 (1st)  He's a smart horse. He hasn't been away anywhere and we haven't had him on grass before,. He was working really well at home but I thought he might need the experience here today. He's a quick horse, he's by French Navy the sire of Layfayette. The options are open for him, either a winners bumper or a Flat maiden, maybe the race in Galway. That's a bonus to get that done today, I would have been happy to finish in the first three. It looked a strong enough race and the third was third in a festival bumper here. The rider was very happy with him and said he was straight-forward, you couldn't ask for more really. Barry Connell