O'Brien saddles first winner over jumps via Kilmeaden

Shanahan earns plaudits for Be Fierce ride

The young lad gave him a great ride. He has a run in him about the length of the parade ring and he was trotting going to the line. He jumps like a stag, but has a short run in him. He won twice around Tramore, a sharp track with a short run-in. If he wings the last, he might hold on and both times he hung on. Michael O’Sullivan, God rest him, won on him on New Year’s Day last year and Shane O’Callaghan also won on him. The inside track here is easy and it was a weak race. He got a lovely ride and everything went spot on for him. He’s owned by nice people, the Morans - husband and wife Michael and Anne. Betty Moran (Michael’s mother) owned Papillon.

Ill Raise A Glass claims dramatic mares' maiden hurdle

She did it well. She won a bumper very well last year and she was a bit weak, she’s strengthening up great this year. I’m not working her that hard. I expected her to come on a lot from the last day and I think she’ll come on from this today as well. We’ll see where she takes us now, she’ll tell us. We might look for a novice hurdle somewhere and it would be nice to get a bit of black-type. John Hennessy owns her and he bred her. Eric Kenneally owns a share in her as well and Eddie Kenneally trains in America.

Mojoe makes the breakthrough at Punchestown

I thought Simon was class on him. He’s not the most straightforward horse in the world, he can be on and off the bridle. When he’s free, he’s very free, and then he can be hard to get going. His jumping was a lot slicker today, I was a bit worried with it being his first handicap. I think the third last was the only one he missed, other than that he was foot perfect. The ground probably isn’t as tacky as yesterday, so lucky enough that he was in today rather than yesterday. I’m delighted for Jim (Browne, owner), he’d be more used to the Flat than jumps. This is more of a novelty for him and it’s great to get a winner for him. We’ll see what the handicapper does now. We might have to look at a ‘120’ with him, something similar over two-and-a-half (miles).

Shabby Hill another in Punchestown for Byrnes

I’d say he’ll be a nice horse when he steps up to three miles. We bought him in Goresbridge, he had won a point-to-point, and he got a few bits of injuries. That’s why he was late coming out. I’m delighted for the owner Peter Mackin, who is from Newry. His patience has paid off, thank God. He was maybe over-jumping if anything and I’d say jumping fences will maybe be his forte in time. I don’t get carried away with them but I do think he’ll make a nice three-mile chaser.

Lough Nigara puts it all together in first-time cheekpieces

He’s not winning out of turn. The ground at Fairyhouse the last day was plenty lively for him, but he came out of it well so I didn’t mind turning him back out this quick. We stuck the cheekpieces on him today to sharpen him up. He’s tricky enough, as you can see at the start there, but he (Doyle) gave him a nice ride. I’m delighted to get it for Dunglen Racing. He’s been very consistent for them and it’s nice to get the win. Hopefully, there is another one in him and we’ll go chasing with him then. The testing ground is imperative for him. We’ll tip away with him until it dries up.

How's Hannah looks decent in the mares' bumper

She was very good. I bought her off Tim Townend and he was very sweet on her, and he knows the time of day. Then Aubrey (McMahon) took her off me for the Temple Syndicate, who are having great luck at the moment. You can see her there, she’s 17 hands. She’s seven-years-old, but you can see why, with the size of her. Whether we go hurdling now and chasing next year or stay in bumpers, we’ll have to wait and see. The really strong gallop and the soft ground really suited her. She’s not slow either, her work at home says that. She just has a bit of everything. I think Tim Townend might have the brother going to the sales in February, so I was under pressure to run her before that!