Vinnys comes good despite ground worries

I was hoping to get soft ground for him somewhere, I always thought he wanted winter ground and that he would be okay when he got winter ground. I was within an ace of taking him out but then thought sure we'll run him and leave it. I didn't give the owners any great encouragement or any encouragement with the ground, I just thought it wouldn't be soft enough. He's looking better than he has been all year. He just seems to have turned a corner but we'll leave him out anyway because he is a soft-ground horse and we'll leave him until next season. He stays, stays, stays and just wants three miles. I'd say he will jump fences as well. Sean said he was just a different horse today.

Manomine doubles up after Charity Race revival

We were actually about to give up on this horse four or five months ago. He just lost his way and he was getting 10 years of age. Kate Kelly rang me and said 'could I get a ride in the (charity) race?' and I said 'yeah no problem'. We basically pulled him out of a field four weeks ago. He bolted up in the charity race and I turned round to the owner Jimmy (Matthews) and said we should enter him up just in case over hurdles. He worked really well on Wednesday and has sparkled into some sort of life. He has plenty of back class. As they always say form is temporary and class is permanent. He's in on Tramore on Tuesday and Clonmel next Thursday so I say he will turn up for either one. Last season was ouR best season by far. Not a bad start to this season, it's only our second runner. We have an open day next Saturday. It is more to do with trying to introduce people into racing. We are about to launch a racing club and we are moving forward. Those are the same colours that won the Ulster National. The syndicate is Jimmy Matthews and his family.

Coolongolook one for Elliott at Downpatrick

Hamilton rushes back to greet Allen

I've just got here from the (Necarne) point-to-point and I watched the race on the phone going through Downpatrick! . I had a runner in the first race of the point-to-point and had to rush back here to see it. I'm delighted, it just worked out grand. She obviously needs better ground, the ground made the difference to her. The track probably didn't suit her but the mares' race was just maybe more suitable for her. She's in again on Wednesday at Punchestown but I don't know, we'll see what way she comes out of that there. She'll be better over a fence in time and she has a nice pedigree. A more galloping track would suit her. . She had a few breathing issues so we had to have her wind done a couple of times. She seems to be on the right road now. I thought she maybe needed to be a wee bit handier but he (Kevin Brouder) said she was flat to the boards and that's the way to ride her as she likes passing horses. Once she sees she is going forward and passing horses she races far better.

Stafford eyes bigger pots with Well Joey

Oakcla gets Home in hunters chase

He was nearly sold yesterday, I didn't get any phone call this morning so I said we would drive on. He's an improving horse. He loves the good ground. He's a good jumper and it kind of stood to him there. He's after improving a lot. He was brought down the first day and the stirrup broke on him the second day and he finished third. Cathal is getting a great tune out of him and the owner was delighted but he couldn't make it here today. He's a good client from my father's days so it was great for him to get a bit of success. Maybe go novice hurdling or chasing depending on what way the handicapper looks at him. He'll run away for the summer anyway in some of them handicaps or novices.

Thor strikes in Downpatrick bumper

He ran well the last day and he has improved for better ground. He'll get a wee bit of a break now and go over hurdles at the end of the summer. He had a nice run the first day in Navan. He likes a trip and he jumps well. He would be a three parts brother to Legacy Gold so Chris (Johnson) will have a bit of fun with him. He's a nice horse to go novice hurdling.