Mullins pair can't cope with Shady Operator

He did well to win because he missed the last three and he had a bit of traffic as well,. Mark was very happy with him and he jumped very well on the whole. It was his first time going the trip and I'd say he stays every yard of it. I'd say he'll step into a graded novice now, probably around that trip again. They are two decent horses that were second and third and he wasn't a bad horse over hurdles.

Have Hogan on your side on New Year's Eve

That was great for Brid and Frances (Collison, owner/breeders) who are next door neighbours of mine,. This was a difficult horse but he's actually starting to settle well. Fair play to Shane Mulcahy who did all the hard work with him. He got injured off this lad in Naas, he fractured his sternum, so he left the ride for me today. I'd never ridden him in a chase but when I saw the decs yesterday morning I thought he had a big chance. He ran very well behind Seskin Flyer in Thurles and the winner franked that form in Limerick. It's great and they are all running well. I needed that as I got a few penalty points on the way up the road, so that will pay for that!

Bachasson surprises Mullins with comeback win

It was a nice surprise to finish the year off,. It's great to have him back because he had a nasty injury after the Gold Cup. This was a nice race to bring him back but I didn't dream that he was straight enough to win but he did it well. I might keep him hurdling for the foreseeable future and the same with Killultagh Vic, if I can find races for them. Scarpeta will obviously be the same. He probably just wanted a longer trip and his jumping let him down again. Killultagh Vic will probably get an entry for the Irish Gold Cup but I thinking more about the horse and keeping him sound. He'll have to get an entry alright but we'll see. I'm trying to keep both of them hurdling. I'd like to keep Bachasson hurdling anyway, I might have to change my plans with Killultagh Vic. I'm thinking about keeping them sound but we'll have to see. I hadn't been thinking about the Irish Gold Cup but it's a race we'll have to consider.

21/1 Punchestown brace for McManus O'Brien and Walsh

He did well to win because it was only his third run ever and I thought he'd probably come on a bit from it,. It was nice to see him go and do that. He jumped well. They went slow and got racing in front of him but he went and got them in fairness to him. There is a winners race in Fairyhouse and you also have the graded race at Leopardstown. We'll see. I thought he went to the line well. He hadn't run for a long time and he'd be entitled to come on for it. He had a few problems I think but he has ability.

Koeman blasts hurdling opposition away

Pace-setting tactics suit Crawley's Mountain who goes in at 'a pony'

He's a big lump of a horse with a big stride on him,. I thought there would be plenty of pace but there obviously wasn't. He was well schooled at home and Danny just made the running on him. It's grand when they win. He's a very tall lean horse so you wouldn't be running him too often and the ground is nice out there. His full-sister Sassy Diva wouldn't like it too heavy either. He'd like a bit of nice ground, he just would't want it bottomless. We were going to point him then we didn't and he has schooled over fences.

Tens Or Better gamble comes off to round off 2018