Colliers Quay wins opener at Ballinrobe

he had a lovely run in Galway where for a horse that had a lot of racing done, he was quite green. He sharpened up for that and travelled better today. For a big horse, he did well to squeeze through that narrow gap.

Ocean Murphy scores for Rothwell & O'Keeffe

McConnell's Amina gains deserved success

even though that’s beautiful ground, I didn't really want to run her on good, because she wants three miles on slower ground, but there weren't that many opportunities coming up. She has a big frame and isn't fully furnished yet. Alex said she wasn't doing a tap in front. The owners have been very patient and it's nice to get her head in front. She had good bumper form, and there should be more to come from her.

Jockey Smithers continues good recent form

she'd a good first run for us in Clonmel last year but has small feet and the ground went for her. Her owner Andria and Johnny Cummins do some pre-training, so took her home for the winter. When she came back to me, she'd got a lot stronger and it took just a while to get her ready. She was just nabbed in Tramore and the longer trip suited her here. She's a grand filly who likes a bit of nice ground, and will go for something similar next.

Bunting bridges long gap betweens wins

Bunting has always promised so much and luckily Paul (Townend) picked him in the Coral Cup last year, which meant I got onto Jimmy Du Seuil! That's the sort of ability he has, and he'd been running some good races, including on the Flat last year. The fences seem to have woken him up. He was very good and even when he made the mistake, he was so quickly away from it. This trip around here is on the sharp side for him, but it's all about finding a rhythm and getting into a flow over the fences, and he was able to do that and put them to the sword.

O'Keeffe completes Ballinrobe double

Smart debutante gives De Bromhead double in finale

Elegantemente is a well-bred filly and we liked her at home. She was green and should improve plenty for the experience, but I liked her attitude.