Rite books Cheltenham Passage

It was a satistactory performance but that's as far as I would go,. He found the track a little bit tight. It's only his second run over hurdles and the reason for bringing him here was to experience the undulations. It took him time to get use to them - which he did. That would indicate to me that we'll let him take his chance in the Neptune, the 2m5f novice hurdle at Cheltenham. That's likely to be his next race. He wasn't spectacular or over impressive but he did it nicely. He's a big horse, 16-3, and the inside track was a bit tight. I think a more galloping track would suit. I have the highest regard for Dunguib. At present he'll go for the Neptune. If Dunguib went for the Champion it could change but at the moment that's the way I see it.

Dark stamps his class

It was like a bit of work. He had gone a bit lazy at home and has had trouble with allergies, which developed since Christmas,. We were hoping to get a bit of confidence in him. He usually pulls quite a bit and pulled hard in the Fighting Fifth but didn't pull in the Irish Champion and obviously the allergies were effecting him. He travelled a lot happier today. He had more spark about him and even in the stable yard he tried to bite three times. He was full of himself and it's good to see him like that. Where he goes next depends on the ground. There is not much point going to Cheltenham if it is soft. We might wait for Aintree. In England he would be rated 160 and he's only tiny so I think it would be tough in handicaps. His best line of form is when he was second to Sublimity on good ground and since then he hasn't had conditions to suit.

Ace comes out top in thrilling finish

Flat Out earns Supreme spot

He didn't do much wrong and I'm very pleased with him. He's booked his ticket for across the water., . At the moment I'd say he'll go for the Supreme Novices. I would have kept him for the bumper but for his temperament and I wanted to go jumping with him. He'll only improve again.

Shilling edges verdict to spring shock

That was out of the blue. She ran dreadful here the last day on heavy ground,. She had run well at Thurles though previously so we were a bit in the dark today but it's nice she won.

Levantado lands the money

I just made it back in time. He's a big old fashioned horse who has had a lot of problems,. We train him out of a field now and it seems to work for him. He just came alive over the last couple of weeks. We might go to Fairyhouse next Tuesday with him.

Munsaab flies home to land bumper

I'm delighted with that - it's badly needed,. They were touting Willie's horse and it looked like a nicely run bumper. Our lad needed to settle and I told Colin to take his time. I was a little bit concerned about the ground that it might be a bit tacky. He said he handled it but would be better on better ground. He has plenty of gears amd always showed us plenty of ability at home. We bought him at the Goffs Horses in Training as a two-year-old. He's nicely bred and has a lovely pedigree. I'll have a chat to the owner about where we go. He's only a four-year-old but is a good tough horse. He's entitled to an entry (for the Cheltenham Bumper) but he's not 100 per cent to go there.