Short takes Adare Manor Opportunity Series in style

It's been a bit of an up and down season, we haven't got much of a run at it, but this is a nice way to finish it. I was a little bit worried that fitness might catch him out as it is six months since he ran. I’m delighted as they are a sound bunch of lads that own him. He was entered in a couple of races (here this week) but he wouldn’t have got into other races so I had this in mind. He’ll be on the go now for the summer. We said we’d see what happened today but the plan was to go chasing and he could run on the Flat as well. He won in Tramore and Kilbeggan last year before improving a lot to win by 23 lengths at Clonmel and he’s after improving again. He keeps surprising me.

Townend back in the groove on Pravalaguna

She did it very well. She travelled great and jumped super. It's nice to get one on the board. I was going that well I was able to sit and wait for it (the split) to come. I couldn't believe how well I travelled into the race to be honest. It shows you the mettle of the man as Paul was under a lot of pressure going out there and he was very cool the whole way. I thought coming to the last bend would he get through or would he go around and he was super cool and knew he had enough horse to get through when any sort of gap opened. I’m delighted to see what happened yesterday didn’t shake his confidence. He’s a popular guy and that showed in the reception he got here today. He came into the yard this morning and got slagged like every jockey would, and then as it turned out Joe Tizzard was the first visitor we had this morning. The two of them met in the barn and had a chat. It was unfortunate what happened yesterday but nobody died and nobody is injured. She is a good mare and has been a bit unlucky but that was a nice race to win with her.

Next Destination digs deep in a thriller

Bellshill leads home 1-2 for Mullins in Gold Cup

I think Bellshill just idled a bit in front but David gave him a terrific ride. I’m delighted for Graham Wylie as it hasn’t been that good a season for him. To come back from Fairyhouse where he was very unlucky and win here like that, it just shows what he had left in the tank when he made the mistake at the last in Fairyhouse. He lost concentration just like he did today when he was in front. He has a huge engine. I was amazed he was disqualified (at Fairyhouse), and couldn’t get over that it wasn’t overturned yesterday. I’ve never seen a horse make a mistake at a fence and be disqualified when it was no fault of the rider. There are countless examples of it in Irish racing, and I think the decision opens a huge can of worms. He could be a Gold Cup horse and the performance he put up in Fairyhouse was a Gold Cup performance in my book, and today has just confirmed that. Patrick got a great tune out of Djakadam, and he liked the ground and probably being back at Punchestown as well.

Grade 1 treble as Tornado leads home bumper 1-2-3

At different times up the straight you could have made any of the three of them the winner. I thought Carefully Selected had nabbed it turning for home and when Patrick came through I thought he was going to win. All the time I could see Richie just keeping his horse covered and I said if he gets a bit of daylight, minds the little bit he has in the tank and plays his card at the right time.. It was a real good ride. Richie claims 5lb and it was a tremendous ride for a 5lb claimer (not able to claim in this race). He rode a winner for me in Listowel two years ago and he's a guy that impresses me, he impressed me that day. It's very seldom we need an amateur rider, with Patrick and Katie, but I've always tried to use him if I could.

Townend completes 54/1 treble on Patricks Park

The last day with Paul in Fairyhouse everything that could go wrong went wrong. He just ended up in the wrong position and every time he tried to get in to a better position something jumped across him. It was a complete disaster. Today everything went right and Paul said he was just idling in front. When the second came he kept pulling out more and more. I'm very happy for Simon. He was a budget priced horse and it's great to have a big win with him. He also won at Leopardstown in February so that's two big days for him.