Full Of Life wins Wexford’s opener

she jumped brilliantly and it is good to see her back to form. She ran very well in the mares’ novice hurdle in Cheltenham when it was probably a tough ask for her, with the way we rode her. She did run well though, although was disappointing in Punchestown, so we freshened her up. We aimed for this and it looked competitive on paper. I’m delighted with how she jumped and hopefully she will keep progressing now. She has black-type over hurdles and we’ll aim now for the (Grade 3) Kilbegnet Chase at Roscommon at the end of September, as she is a real two-miler and loves going that gallop.

De Bromhead & O'Keeffe double up in dramatic chase

Sky Lord jumped well and galloped well. He has been frustrating to be honest but hopefully we have him back right again. I’m delighted for him and Basil (Holian, owner in Watchman Racing). We went over further the last day but I’d say he is just a two-miler and he loved that ground. He has got a gear so Darragh was saving that in today’s race. I presume he won’t move off her handicap mark as he didn’t beat anything so I’d say he will go back handicapping now.

Halford Rides First Professional Winner

These are very famous colours (of Hardy Eustace) and Lar Byrne is a very good owner. People obviously know that Lar is in rehab for the last number of months and he is doing very well. It will be a long while before we see Lar at the races next, but this is a fantastic boost for him and is a special winner. The horse's jumping hadn't been great over fences and had fallen down the handicap. He made one mistake today but the fact they had gone so hard gave him a chance to get back into it. It is lovely to get Josh a winner, as I'd always have been friendly with his father Mick and mum Louise.

Farrokh Stays on Well for Wexford Success

I get a great kick out of winning these 0-100s as I hardly ever win them. It's normally Eoin McCarthy or those other brilliant trainers who operate well with these horses. We have an incredible range of trainers in this division and this horse had finished second in this race two years ago. We tried him with blinkers and cheekpieces but took them all off today, except for a sheepskin noseband. He jumped well, never missed a beat and the jumping won it for him. It is fine margins down at this level, but if you jump well and keep saving, that can make the difference. There might be something over fences for him in Galway.

Queenofthelodge makes good impression at Wexford

My farrier Dan (Breen) bred her and he leases her to the syndicate. They're delighted and the mare is a half-sister to (Topham Chase winner) Will The Wise. I don't know how many are actually in the syndicate but there are a good few here and they're all local lads. She hasn't done much schooling recently due to the fast ground at home, although we initially had her ready to run in a point-to-point. I think she'll make a better chaser than hurdler. She'll go for a Ladies Flat Race in Tramore (August) and then go for the Kilbegnet Chase at Roscommon in September. She could progress a bit over fences.

Ceroc earns first success over fences

Anodandawink wins Wexford finale

It is a big thrill to have my first winner for those (McManus) colours. We had Enjoy D'allen previously, who didn't work out, and they kindly sent us this lad, so this is my second for Mr McManus. He was a work in progress as a young horse so there was no pressure on us to find out his trip, and we were told to work away and try and win a race with him. We didn't have to give Harry (Cobden) any instructions, he told me what he would do and it was a lovely ride. He is a lovely horse and we felt he was in the right race. We had him in Killarney last week but Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) mentioned to wait for this and it was a great call. He loved the ground and is a staying type.