Nora makes up for lost time

I only got her to train late last year and couldn't get her forward enough to run. We got her ready for a bumper at Punchestown but I told the owner it was a waste of time and to throw her in field. I wondered if he would ever ring me back but luckily he did and she's a lovely type. There is no trying to settle her or anything. When you want her to go she does and when you want her to stop she does. She's so straight-forward. She jumps like a chaser and the last day she was losing lengths. She's a natural chaser. We hadn't the experience to get stuck into her early but she had the experience today. I'm delighted. Her bumper form wasn't great but Kate Harrington rode her in a ladies race and although she was beaten nearly 20 lengths she said she was the nicest filly she'd rode in a long time. I wanted something to keep the owner happy and she saved my bacon. The first run over hurdles she showed she had ability and she won today which is all important. This is only a preparation for chasing. I've never had as nice a filly to go on with and hopefully she stays sound. She's a three mile plus chaser. She doesn't have the pace for two miles but can go that relentless gallop.

Fine performance by Joncol bro' Theatre

You can't beat breeding. For a King's Theatre he handled the ground very well and he jumps better than (half-brother) Fine Article. He jumped very well for a horse first time with no point-to-point experience. He looks like a nice horse for the boys again. Mikey was very impressed with him there. I made a bit of a mistake. I was standing at the last with Gordon Elliott and gave a shout at Mikey. He thought there was something coming at him so hit him three or four so that was my fault!. He's a nice horse, by the right sire. The whole family showed they liked soft ground no matter what the sire. He handles heavy ground very well and has a fair knee action. We'll definitely stick to that with him but we have no plans at the moment.

Lilshane causes handicap shock

That was well-timed. I thought he was a bit short but he wasn't. A chaser is what he is and he's been schooled over fences already. We'll see what he does over hurdles and he'll go chasing then. He needs soft ground so if he doesn't go chasing before the summer he'll wait to next season. In his third last race he pulled muscles in his back and needed treatment. The first time he pulled up he was a bit sore and we treated him again but it still hadn't gone. Since he's been back we've schooled him over hurdles and fences and his back has been A-one so hopefully it stays that way while the ground is soft.

Coopers collect with Old Time Melody

It's long overdue. A lot of mine were sick but we got to the bottom of the problem after Christmas. It was a small problem but that can be a major thing, and I think we've turned a corner now. He's in again at Navan on Saturday and we'll see how he is. He's tough and stays going so the track there should suit.

Cooper doubles up as Thunder strikes

That's good, he deserves that. He had some very good runs without winning, and is an out-and-out stayer. He has the option of the four-miler at Cheltenham but we may train him for the Irish National. He's probably an Irish National horse and I think Gigginstown have another one for the four-miler. He may run in something in between. He jumped well today and is much better over fences than he was over hurdles. He doesn't mind heavy ground.

Fox shines again on Ardmillan

That was definitely the best he has gone. He was a lot more professional today. The last day he hit the front too soon and I told Anthony to ride him with more patience. I thought he gave him a great ride, even better than when he won on him last time. Hopefully he keeps improving. He likes the ground and is a good jumper. He appreciates the big tracks with big fences. I thought he could maybe be an Ulster National horse. He won a point-to-point at Armagh which has similar ups and downs. Hopefully in time he'll develop into a nice staying chaser. If he doesn't do a lot more this season he's won two now. He's still a big frame of a horse and hopefully there is a bit more to come.

Elliott brings up ton with Myztique in bumper