Dream start for Mullins at Leopardstown

City Island repeats maiden hurdle win

It’s great to come back and show what he showed us at Galway. He’s a progressive type of horse and his ideal trip is probably further than two (miles). We’ll find out a bit more the next day when he runs in a winners’ race and see what level of ability he’s at. The ground was softer at Galway and his jumping really kept him in the race today. He was going as fast as he could down the back but when he came to the last there his stamina came into play. Sean and Bernardine (Mulryan) sponsor the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham and they would love to have a runner in it. Whether he’s good enough for that we’ll have to find out in the meantime.

Rocky Blue upsets the odds in Juvenile Hurdle

I bought him for 11,000 euro as a yearling (at Goffs) and we always thought he was good, but he took his time to come. He has a good French staying pedigree. He learned a lot in Punchestown, where he only jumped the last two hurdles, and we felt if he jumped adequate he would improve a lot on that. He won well on the Flat at Navan and got a right slap from the handicapper. Maybe he’s right, but I haven’t gone back on the Flat because of that. Hopefully he holds his form and we can come back here for the Grade One race in February. That’s the obvious target. Hopefully the wheels stay on the bus until then.

Try Again provides Christmas cheer for Flynn

He ran well in Cheltenham the last time. We didn’t have a great time travelling and went to the boat twice and we weren’t allowed on it. It upset him and he didn’t eat when he was over there. He ran a great race considering everything. He’s still a novice so he could even tip over to England or could come back here for the big handicap hurdle. He’ll probably get enough weight after that!. He’s starting to jump well but didn’t jump well when he started off.

Le Richebourg lands feature at Leopardstown

Tisamystery wins again on St Stephen's Day

That was a super ride from Daniel and he did it really well. He seems to be improving, and it’s nice to get one up here. He could come back here for a handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Mulryans complete Leopardstown double with Exit Poll

That’s my first winner for Sean. I’ve had lots of placed horses for him. After he ran in Galway we gave him a break to bring him back here. I’m not sure where he will go now and I’ll have to have a talk with Sean. He stays really well. Finny said when he pulled him out he kept on galloping and galloping. The further he went the better, and he won well in the end which looked unlikely turning in. He’s a full-brother to Ex Patriot and he seems to go on any ground.