Another Minella winner in Academy series

He has plenty of class, plenty of toe and plenty of gears. I was confident although I didn't know where the (market) money came from. He is the real deal. Yesterday I was outside and the missus was at this horse's stable door saying 'he's the one that I want, he's the one that I want' so I thought she was talking about me, but she wasn't! . We bought him for the Flat for my nephew Seanie Bowen to ride, but he went to England so he tipped away with the point-to-pointers. We decided to go this way instead of the Flat as I get more buzz seeing mine jumping than coming out of stalls. Himself and Minella Yoga (since sold) had the same programme the whole time and Dan had done all the schooling on both. Corky (Carroll, assistant) and my nephew Conor (Bowen) had done a great job with him. Conor came up with his name as we said we'd give this new show a dig-out.

More joy for the Kings in Mallow

I hadn't done a lot with him since the last day but knew he was in good form and I was confident that he'd come forward. He is the most honest, straightforward horse although Dan said he wasn't doing a stroke in front. . He is an exciting horse and we're a good bit ahead of where we thought we'd be with him. We thought he was quite backward in the beginning. He has been keeping good company and it is great to get today out of the way. He's only a young horse so I'm in no rush with him as he has done great so far, but we'll have to start thinking ahead now. I'm not worried about heavy ground for him and with more experience, I think he'll go on any ground. I only have two horses, so had a good weekend, although I'll be quiet next week! I'm delighted with the way things are going and I'm off to Newmarket tomorrow looking to buy a yearling. I'll do the best I can with the two horses and see where I go after that.

Sortudo does it well on hurdling debut

He had very good bumper form and had schooled well at home,. He jumped well all through the race but was alone in front when he just had a look at the final hurdle. . I rode him in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when he gave me a great feel. His introduction today was over two miles and he didn't lack speed. He has matured well and going further wouldn't be out of the question for him either - that will be one of the usual conundrums for Willie to decide. You'd imagine Christmas could now be a target and that'll decide the bigger spring targets.

Barcoe finds the key to Halsafari

I have been one of the lads’ biggest fans over the years with what they’ve done with all those good horses and, even yesterday, they had a horse (Glen Kiln) finish second in a Grade 1. I have been friends with them and been curious about how they’d done things all my life, so was delighted when Michael asked me to take this horse a couple of months ago. I’m very lucky to have him and not too many have one out of Solerina. Between their three really good horses Limestone Lad, Solerina and Sweet Kiln, they earned €1.8m in prize money which is incredible even at today's levels.

Wildway another for the locals at Cork

This fella has been very good to me although age has caught up with him. The handicapper dropped him a few pounds though and Eoin's claim was also very valuable. He always showed spark at home so I always felt he'd win another race and he had his conditions with soft ground in today's slow-run race. He is one of my stable stars and he brings on and leads the young stock at home. That's the way he likes to be trained now and he'll keep going now, so hopefully he can win another one.

Sortudo strikes on Cork hurdles bow

Iceberg Theory gives Nolan an across-the cards double

Hackett's chaser coasts home in Cork finale

That is more of what he is capable of, Liam gave him a great ride and let him feel like he was the best horse. He can think about it a little when he is in front but Liam held on to him great and didn't really go for him. There is a big engine but putting it all in is the thing. We'll take today and he'll go somewhere at Christmas next. Although he is only a novice, I was thinking about the Tim Duggan Memorial at Limerick as he has a load of experience.