Lucky 13 for quirky Firebrand

magic blinkers, maybe I’ll put a pair on myself! . He deserved that as he was running honest the whole time, but just not getting home. The blinkers made a difference. He’s highly rated so he’s hard to place and that was better than going to Plumpton, or somewhere, for a £1,500 maiden hurdle. It’s been a lucky spot for us, racing west of the Shannon is a great job. There is a novice chase in Sligo next week or he could go to Listowel for a Flat race. He decides himself but he’s not the worst to have around the place. He was bought for another job (Flat racing) but he’s not doing us any harm and is paying his way.

Inthenickoftime scores with late flourish

the hill made a big difference to him and Simon said he was flat out going down to the second-last. We were thinking maybe another half-a-mile might suit him, but the hill just suited well. He’s rated 117 over fences and won in the ‘110’ grade here last October but I don’t know if there is a 0-120 for him next month. There might be another hurdle in him too and he’s a home-bred so it’s great.

Gilligan’s Girl wins under new rider Townend

Jody gets on with her, whatever it is. The lads (sons), Danny and Jack, have ridden her and she doesn’t go as well for them as she does for Jody. She’ll probably stay on her now, but where we’ll go with her I don’t know. It’s brilliant for her to break her maiden here and she won well. The fact that she’s owned by Natalie, my wife, makes it ever better. I went to Down Royal with her last Friday week and I think the journey up was a problem. She didn’t enjoy Down Royal at all, but the fact that here was so close and handy, I said I’d bring her. In these low grade races, you don’t know what day they’ll turn up and win. This is every bit as good as winning the Blazers for us.

Grace Faraday scores for Smith & McCann

She was declared to run in Down Royal. but the ground went too quick and she appreciated that rain today. She’s a quirky Flemensfirth mare who made things very hard as she was hanging. but James gave her a great ride and she did it well in the end. I’m delighted for the syndicate, for John and Marian Heffernan. John runs the syndicate and they have stuck with us. She’ll get another couple of runs, but she’ll be soon going to the breeding shed.

Ocastle Des Mottes improves on Festival runner-up effort

Brandt on the mark for Collins & Millar

that was lovely and it was a great ride by Carl. Ever since we got the horse, we always dropped him out last, but we said we’d change tactics today and make the running. Carl is very good from the front and he gave him a brilliant ride. He was always saving a bit in front. He wants further and I was happy enough that he would stay going. He was headed but fought back and was very game. It’s great to get him back on track, he lost his way a little bit and we got a few things done. We’ll look for something similar, maybe further again — maybe three miles. He’s a real stayer. Carl is with me full-time now so I’m delighted to get a winner with him.