Door finally opens for consistent Stella Alpina

The six-furlong maidens were running out so I dropped her back to five here and in fairness to her, she was due her turn. I think she tries too hard but is learning to sprint. She is 16.2hh and when she grows into her frame, will be a proper sprinter in time. She is a work in progress and I think next year will be her year.

Ballysax Lil' Mick defies odds to gain breakthrough win

That was a while coming! He ran a really good race in Navan and then I gave young Max Popan his first ride on him in Naas on Monday, when he flew home. Max rode him ok, the horse came out of the race well and I did fancy him today. He was always knocking on the door without getting a win but we have persisted with him and Killian gets on well with him. Liam Tougher (owner) is here today so I'm delighted for him too.

Royal Ascot runner-up wins Tipperary's feature

his run at Ayr was a mess-up and while maybe the winner isn’t too bad, they went no gallop and the ground was soft. He had run well in Ascot and backed that up today. He did it well. It might be worth taking our chance in those big races now and there’s a Grade 1 (Summer Stakes on September 14) race for him in Canada on the same day as the National Stakes, which might be an option. The horse’s family has been lucky for me and thanks to the Rupert and Magnier families (joint-owners) for sending them all to me. My association goes back to Scream Blue Murder (a Group 3 winner) and I have an older full-sister to Thesecretadversary in training as well.

Mallavelly continues on upward curve with third success

We're delighted with both fillies and James got a great feel from Mallavelly today. They went a good strong gallop, she loves that top of the ground and loves that distance. She is progressing all the time and obviously with fillies, the objective is to get blacktype. She is a little off it yet but that would be the ultimate aim. Unfortunately Empress Artemis keeps getting put up for finishing second so is detrimental to her own success. She is very genuine but we might now drop her back slightly in distance.

Shahada Aces it to give Slattery another winner

She took a long time to come into herself and Andy found a very winnable race. Hopefully the handicapper won't lose the run of himself now. The owners are from the north and travelled down today. We were hopeful as it didn't look the strongest race in the world. She has a good pedigree and we are also hoping she will strengthen up into herself. She always worked nicely but was weak, backward and small. It is only in the last couple of months that she has grown and strengthened.

Nautical Force wins Tipperary’s three-horse race

Messi scores for Flynn in Tipperary nightcap

Dermot and Eileen are family friends all my life and while I was based in England as a jockey, the first pony I ever rode was Dermot's pony called Mandy. They lived beside us, my father was great friends and my mother still goes over to them. I wanted to give up with the mare as she is a bit of a madam, but the owners persevered. A lady's touch obviously worked today and it's great that Ciara got back in the saddle. It's her first win for a while, as her old horse Power Drive was sold.