No worries for Neolithic in Gowran opener

Soft ground is good enough for Meade and Bobby McGee

His form was good. He was a cheeky colt and gelding him was a big help,. He’d done plenty. Even though he’d never ran on soft he has big feet and he’d worked quite well on it so I was happy coming. I didn’t really think any further than trying to win with him and we’ll see what the handicapper does now.

Evergreen McCullagh off the mark for the season

Fair play to Shane Foley, as he recommended her to Breen (White, owner),. We gave her a bit of work in Dundalk before the end of the year and it wasn’t for her, so we put her away and waited for the grass. She loves that kind of ground. Last week in Navan, she just didn’t stay so we dropped her back in trip and it was ideal. She’s in at Bellewstown on Saturday and we might go again. We’ll see how she is. She likes the ground and if it dries up too much, it won’t suit her.

Sinmara impresses in maiden success

Murtagh & Coen take the claimer

He ran very well the last day in Dundalk and he was entitled to be very competitive in a race like that. Ben said he saves a little bit for himself, there is always a bit left there, but he responded well in tough going. We’re delighted to get a winner on the board, we’ve been hitting the crossbar with a few. It’s good to get him going. He’ll be a fun little horse, he’s very sound and genuine. Maybe someone will pick him up now. 68 is probably a fair rating for him.

O'Brien & Sheridan double up in Gowran feature

Dual-purpose Matt Connor hits the target again

I’m delighted to get that. He’s on his way to Punchestown, he’s qualified for the Albert Bartlett Series. This race fitted in lovely. He has plenty of speed, Colin said he wouldn’t want it any further. He was drawn out wide and he let him find his feet. He’s gone up a good bit now (over hurdles), Keith (Donoghue) made sure to win plenty far on him! Hopefully, there is a bit more improvement in him. He’s small but he jumps great and he has a great attitude. He loves jumping. Hopefully he gives us a good day out in Punchestown. It’s a big pot for not an overly-high grade handicap, hopefully he goes there with a chance. I think he had a pelvic injury a while ago. He’s a box-walker and windsucker, so you have to manage him and get him out of the stable as much as possible. He’s called after a great footballer, Matt Connor, who was an All-Ireland footballer for Offaly but was badly injured. He was actually in Leopardstown to see him.

McManus-owned mare gives Joseph a treble