Bells Grove off the mark in Ballinrobe curtain raiser

His form claims were outstanding and he was the best horse in the race, so I played it safe and took no chances,. He travelled well and just idled a bit in front. I think two miles is a good trip for now, but he settles lovely and two and a half should be okay too, in time. We pre-trained him before he went to John McConnell and when he went to the sales, we recommended him to David (L'Estrange) who bought him (for £30,000).

Jack Doyle makes immediate impact in training ranks

It's great to get one on the board and I got a good kick out of that, there's a lot more work involved with training a winner compared to just turning up at the track and riding one. We fancied him at Limerick, but he didn't quite get home over two and a half and the easy track here helped him. He's always worked like a nice horse, and a quick enough one. He lost confidence after falling in his first point-to-point, and the run the last day helped him to get it back. Like most of ours, he has a 'for sale' sign!. I'll probably do much the same as my father. We'll try and keep a few nice horses for the track, but the bread and butter is buying young horses, bringing them on and producing them, and then selling them on. I still have my jockey's licence, so if I can find a nice enough horse, I'll be ready to ride it.

Max Meridius opens account under Danny Mullins

His form was always stepping up a bit, although we were disappointed with his last run over hurdles, . I thought there would be more pace on with what the lads were saying, but they were all bark and no bite. He was a fraction keen, but if he develops the right way, the better-grade races will have a stronger pace which will suit him. Down the back, the hurdles are on the outside and I brought him wide in order to attack them, that was the reason to go out there. There should be more in him on the Flat too, and I wouldn't mind riding him in one of those heavy-weight races around Tramore. If I tell Tom not to go there, he might go!

Manoir De Mirande doubles up for Elliott

Eye Of A Tiger holds on to land gamble

She'd come down a few pounds in the ratings, and JJ gave her a cracking ride,. We copped on earlier in the day that you have to go wide, the ground is over-watered on the inner.

Not So Serious wins at 50/1 to give Mullins Ballinrobe double

She'll Be Kept off the mark for McMahon

Winners have been scarce, so it was hard to be confident, but I was hopeful because she ran well at Limerick the last day on what was just her second run for us,. She stumbled coming down the hill there and, by the time she got organised, the bird had flown, but she kept galloping through the line which always gives you hope. She's honest, doesn't make a fuss about anything and gives you all she has. The horses have been running to their ability, and we had a young horse run well to be fourth in the first division. Phillip knew there'd be a dash on early to get out wide for the better ground, and he just took his time out there behind them. He says a summer fence will be within her compass, but we'll see how the handicapper reacts to this first of all. She's not rated high enough for anything at Galway, but I hope to have four or five runners there.

Ealu Tapa wins Ballinrobe nightcap under Ryan

We fancied him at Punchestown and things didn't go his way,. A horse was dropping back and fell right into his path, and that knocked him out of the race. Josh Halford came in and said that he was unlucky and that there was plenty of ability there. He's a fine big horse, and is out of a sister to Peregrine Run. If he does even a third of what Peregrine Run did, we'll be happy, and we have his half-sister by Maxios at home.