Best Love lands Navan’s opener

Holohan continues good recent run

she obviously ran well here previously and that’s only her fifth start in a handicap. She likes top of the ground, so time is running out in that regard. She was a fast finishing third here over the five (furlongs) and then we ran her back in Cork when she was a little slowly into stride. Billy (Lee, rider at Cork) said she took a while to warm into it so we tried cheekpieces today and she travelled well for young Reese. She battled away well to the line. She’s a home-bred, I’m very pleased for her owner Nick Varney as she’s out of his good mare Blue Uluru.

Timurshah completes remarkable five-timer

he’s a right horse and it was no harm to give him a run on the Flat to see what he was like. He has now proved that he can also do it on the Flat, so we have different options down the line. I’d say he might go on his holidays now, I think he deserves it. He’s home in one piece, that’s all I want and we’ll get him back maybe around Christmas or the new year and make a plan then. If I could get another few like him I’d be alright, I probably won’t though!

Chapel Lane lands maiden success

he is owned by Tom McParland and Joey Kirwan who are two good pals of mine, so I’m delighted. He is from a very good Airlie Stud family and is by Tamayuz who I like, and has sired (stablemate) Jancis. He was bought cheaply (€22,000) because he was a rig but I thought he was good value and told the boys we’d have to be patient. I went back for a maiden because he ran a good race in Killarney the last day and I thought he’d have the experience for a maiden at this time of year. He showed a good attitude and fought to the line.

Sponsor success for McGuinness

I’m delighted as he belongs to my yard sponsor James O’Sullivan who is a great supporter of mine, as was his dad Bart before him. Bart started me off and introduced me to the Dooleys (owners). It means a lot to have this winner. Adam was good on him, he got a lovely ‘possy’, so I couldn’t complain. He was back down in that grade having been running in 0-70s, and sometimes coming back is easier for them. He’ll definitely go to Laytown now for something.

Leader Lee completes Navan double

Make The Tide is home-bred by Dave and Sarah Hyland of Oghill Stud so I’m delighted. She’s actually very well-bred and is a half-sister to Hopewell Rock, who was narrowly denied in the Ebor. She’s by a good sire (Make Believe) as well. She was always weak and Billy said every time he rode her to let her strengthen up. I don’t know if she’s going to strengthen up much more, she’s that kind of build. We’ll see what the handicapper does and look for something similar. I’d say she won’t mind a bit of easier ground.

Keane collects on Sonoran

on a proper track you ran ride him cold and let him do that, and that’s the right thing for him. If he does too much too soon you can’t ride him like that. When he gets there, he tends to lean a bit left. Both my horses ran their races and (third-placed) Daler’s turn will come as well, as he’s been very consistent this year.

Unlucky Tramore loser bags Navan’s finale