Insult added to injury for Mark Walsh

I am just a bit upset over Mark, but I think he is ok. It was totally untypical of the horse, who just lashed out, but is a gent of a horse. I suppose it was his first time at school,. We've always liked him, and Mark liked him a lot. Mark had schooled him and was keen to ride. It was nice to win this race, as the last time I did so was with Al Eile first time out as well. We thought we'd have to withdraw but, in fairness, the IHRB were very cooperative and on the ball. Once I could get a jockey quickly, I could run and it worked out well. Darragh had always ridden for me, so was the obvious pick. Danny Power is still a baby and mightn't be a horse until next season. We'll find a winners' of one somewhere, but we'll mind him as he is a lovely horse.

O'Keeffe again the beneficiary as Walsh misses another winner

If we could get enough of these horses, people would think I was a good trainer!. She is a lovely mare and has improved with every run. I'd like to think that she isn't finished yet, as she stays well and jumps well. I was delighted to get her to train in the first place, and I'm privileged to train for the owners, who I've known for a long time. Paul Shanahan came to me one day to say he would send me a horse, along with the boss (John Magnier). She will go up in grade now and there is a nice mares' race for her at Cheltenham in November. I don't see why she can't go on and take on the next grade - whether she beats them is another day's work, but she is entitled to take them on anyway. It was unfortunate for Mark Walsh to miss out, but we had a good substitute.

Fraher Field gets up close home in a blanket finish

Ted remains unbeaten for Mullins

He must be a fair machine to put in a performance like that, as he was running away (keenly) and was so wound up,. His stamina and jumping came into play, and he needed all of it to fight off his rivals one by one. I thought it was a very brave performance over that trip, and first time out over hurdles, so I think we might just give him an easy time now before going for a novice. Once we know what he is like, we'll now take steps to train him a bit differently. He'll be fine though, and is another nice prospect for H O S (Syndicate).

Ocastle completes quick double for Mullins & Townend

Having won in Galway, it shows how versatile he is to win going left-handed on a flat track today,. He likes that trip. but Paul felt he'd like more of a dig in the ground. It took him six runs to win over fences but he is a forward-going two-miler and we are only now learning how to train him. Paul felt the ground on the chase track was a little drier.

Connell Nets a nice pot at Listowel

He has really only had one-and-a-half runs over fences as he went at the third fence at Leopardstown and pulled a shoe when pulling up at Killarney. As a result, I thought the others would have too much experience for him,. He works to a similar level to my earlier runner Apple’s Of Bresil (second in the preceding novice chase) and there wouldn't be much between them, although this one is a two-miler and Apple’s Of Bresil is a three-miler. It was a €45,000 handicap which is a lot for this grade of horses, so it was grand to get it done. He is a two-miler and is a young man's ride!. He jumped them like a set of hurdles and Sean wasn't taking a pull. He got away with it today because it is Listowel, but I'd be hoping he'll learn a little bit if he is to go to Leopardstown, or places like that. There is a 0-130 at Leopardstown over Christmas for him, and if he gets up higher, there is the likes of the Dan Moore Chase.

Bumper winner completes treble for Willie

He is a nice horse and one could say he is a winter horse, but we just got him ready earlier. He finished second in the Goffs Defender Bumper and looks a nice winter type. I'll have a word with the owners and see if they want to go hurdling, or stay bumpering, this season. The way he did that today, he could be one for the Cheltenham bumper as he'll improve away, so we'll see.