Carberry begins at Dundalk

Barry Connell is optimistic it will be “all systems go” for the Punchestown Festival with Marine Nationale, who is due to recommence training on Monday.

Dad (Paul Mulligan) was a jockey himself, and we always had ponies around the place - I was on them for as long as I can remember. I always rode different ones around the yard for dad. Then when I got a bit older, I started pony racing and I was mad keen to be a jockey. I suppose Colin Keane would have been my idol. He was always around at home because dad used to work for Colin's father Gerry. I always thought that I wanted to do the same as Colin. He would have given me tips on riding when I was pony racing. I was pony racing from about 10 to 16, but I missed a good bit of it with Covid-19. I could have missed two seasons because of that. I rode nine winners I think on ponies. I was only five and a-half stone and dad wouldn't let me ride the horses.

One of Ireland’s main point-to-point consignors Donnchadh Doyle landed the Flat season’s opening race today, as his Jack Foley-trained Ruler’s Control (15/2) won the Curragh’s Topgear At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden.