Dundalk Fri, 22nd Sep, 2023  Hale Bopp He has had a few problems and was running into form recently so delighted to get the right side of a close one there. He ran well in Gowran and ran well the previous day in Gowran so he had two goodish runs and, obviously, his handicap mark had dropped which gave him a chance anyway. Good to get him back here, hopefully there might be another one along the way. The race was set up well for him and I thought two down he might win snug but it got a bit slow then for a while, but he battled strong in the end.

Sligo Wed, 9th Aug, 2023  Glyde Ranger He'd been running very consistently this year, the only middling run he had was at Roscommon when things just didn't go right for him. The rest of his runs have been solid and I think the step up in trip on the soft ground was a big plus. He's from an Aga Khan family and it's all stamina all the way back. James said he really picked up when he hit the rising ground and ended up getting there too soon. They probably had gone plenty quick and the race fell apart to some extent, but he has loads of ability. He's done plenty of schooling and jumps quick. He'll probably go for another Flat race but I'd like to get him going over hurdles before the good ones come out. One of the owners, David Daly, is a member of Glyde Rangers GAA Club in Tallanstown Co Louth and hopefully some of the other lads in the club had a few quid on. I know David certainly did and he's delighted.

Galway Tue, 1st Aug, 2023  Bells On Her Toes I was hoping she'd do that and hopefully she'll get into the Ahonoora on Sunday. She was number three to get in but might get a run now and the more rain that falls the better,. She was second in Naas a couple of weeks ago but was only back in training two weeks as Eithne (Thompson, owner) took her home for a break. She has improved and the bit of time off has done her good. I thought it was all over a furlong out bar something happened and this is great. She is a half-sister to an Athasi Stakes winner (With Thanks) and eventually we'll go across the water if we have to find a black-type race for her. Andrew (Slattery, son) was suspended today so we gave the chance to Cian so hopefully he'll get more rides from that as he is well capable.

Naas Wed, 26th Jul, 2023  Bells On Her Toes She's been a bit unlucky. She improved a bit from the last day, she had little break after that run. She's in Galway next week and she'll probably go there. She's in the big handicap on Sunday, she probably won't get into that. There's a race for her on Tuesday and there could be something later on in the week as well. She likes that ground, even though she's run well on good to firm on her last few runs that's her ground. Probably even six furlongs on that ground is a good trip for her and she'll probably stay a mile too. We run her (half) sister (Many Thanks) tomorrow, in the first at Leopardstown, and she's quite nice too.

Leopardstown Thu, 20th Jul, 2023  Special Wan She was very impressive, we were delighted that she just did what she had been showing us,. We said to the owner as a two-year-old that 'this one is a bit special' and that's where the name came from. We minded her at two because it was late in the season and when it came to three we said we'd wait for the right race. She had been doing everything really really well. It's a good family, and I like the sister a lot, but we think this one is just that little bit special. It's just nice to see her going and doing it. We're not 100 percent sure where we're going to go next with her. Really today was the first thing and we wanted to see how she would do. First time out you are always a little bit apprehensive to see if she'll do it. I think we can go where we want with her. She was a bit green today so she should improve a nice bit.

Limerick Wed, 14th Jun, 2023  Cnodian God was on our side because we were drawn 17 before the stalls were taken away and she also likes an ease in the ground!. I wasn't wanting to run her because she is so honest and tries so hard and thought we had no change from (stall) 17 around here. Rory (O'Toole, owner) said 'let's take our chance' and it was a good call on his part, although he must have a direct line with God!. If the horses lined up properly she would have been wider, but Nathan did pony racing so knew what he was at. I'm delighted for him as he riding very well, is a hard worker and is a great young fella. Rory and Noeleen O'Toole bred her and she has won aged three, four and five and they want to breed from her - she is as honest as the day is long.

Listowel Sat, 3rd Jun, 2023  Mary The Priest she is a filly that is in a hurry in the preliminaries and in the aftermath but relaxes better in her races. She is improving all the time and we like her. That was a goodish maiden and the form was holding up.