Favourite Patriot gets job done in Thurles opener

I was a slight bit concerned about the ground this morning but we said we'd chance it,. He ran well his first few times over fences and today was the plan to win a beginners' and we'll make a plan in a week or two and see how he comes out of it tomorrow. It's great to get his head in front and Derek said there was plenty left at the last (when Arvico Bleu fell). Derek knows him inside out and comes in to ride out once or twice a week.

All The Chimneys continues on the improve at the age of 10

He is improving with all his racing and that was his easiest win. He is in such good form he'll go again in a fortnight or three weeks time,. Today's ground was better than ever he ran on - we thought he was always a soft ground horse but he handled it very well today. We'll keep him at it while he is in form.

Steel puts his experience to good use for Harrington and Power

1-3 for Elliott in Thurles feature

He is a grand honest horse who stays galloping and he's a horse who wants a fence in time. He was bought to be a chaser so we're delighted. We'll see what sort of a mark he gets and see what the story is,. Getaway John let him down at the last and I'm not sure he went through with it. He did that at Navan the last day but today he gave the winner 6lbs so it wasn't a bad run; he has the ability but I don't know.

O'Grady "very thankful" to train nice winner for the Magniers

Cher Why Not a popular winner as he gains a deserved success

It was great to get a win and you won't get a more honest horse. He is not the quickest but he keeps trying; I thought turning in he had a bit too much to do but he keeps going,. He needed a good leap at the last and he got it. He is an improving horse and that's his fourth run since January 1 over that sort of trip and it's tough on them but he's taking it well. We'll probably give him an easy time for a few weeks now and then we'll see if he can get some more nice ground.

O'Connor doubles up as Sempo dazzles in the bumper

We always liked him a lot and he ran well at Christmas and it was nice to see him put it all together today. You don't expect them to win like that and we thought he was a decent horse all along and I'm delighted for Martin (O'Sullivan),. He's probably good enough to line up in any bumper but I don't know if we need to over-race him. He has had three runs in bumpers now and I don't know what advantage to him it would be to win a winners' bumper so I'll talk to Martin and see how he comes out of the race. He's an exciting type of horse to go novice hurdling next year.