Kilbeggan Fri, 15th May, 2026  Figero This time last year we said he was a right horse and he’d win a bumper. He got balloted out of a few bumpers and we decided to give him a break. We brought him back for the winter but he doesn’t like soft ground, he’s a summer horse. He ran disappointing in two bumpers and we put it down mainly to the ground. We thought he didn’t stay and I’d say that’s as far as he wants it, two miles. He’s a great jumper, loves it, and jumped brilliantly. I’d say the ground was the whole thing for him and he grew up a bit in the meantime as well. He won’t be running in the winter again. He’s a fighter as well. He’s a nice horse at home and we did fancy him to win a bumper, and he would have on good ground but time was running out and we saw this race. It’s for horses that weren’t placed after two runs so we said we’d crack on and go for it. We’ll maybe look for a novice now and I think he’ll win a mile-and-a-half maiden on the Flat. We’ll celebrate this first and then see what happens.

Kilbeggan Fri, 15th May, 2026  Figero This time last year we said he was a right horse and he’d win a bumper. He got balloted out of a few bumpers and we decided to give him a break. We brought him back for the winter but he doesn’t like soft ground, he’s a summer horse. He ran disappointing in two bumpers and we put it down mainly to the ground. We thought he didn’t stay and I’d say that’s as far as he wants it, two miles. He’s a great jumper, loves it, and jumped brilliantly. I’d say the ground was the whole thing for him and he grew up a bit in the meantime as well. He won’t be running in the winter again. He’s a fighter as well. He’s a nice horse at home and we did fancy him to win a bumper, and he would have on good ground but time was running out and we saw this race. It’s for horses that weren’t placed after two runs so we said we’d crack on and go for it. We’ll maybe look for a novice now and I think he’ll win a mile-and-a-half maiden on the Flat. We’ll celebrate this first and then see what happens.

Clonmel Thu, 14th May, 2026  Jumbos Jet She is very hard on herself, she pulls hard but has kept improving. At home, we knew she had improved and while we were concerned about the ground, in fairness to Paddy (McDonald, owner from nearby Barntown, Wexford), he kept her in and kept her going. She can stay in novice races now for the whole season and she is going home tomorrow for the summer, so hopefully will come back a stronger mare. Michael Martin, representing

Downpatrick Sun, 29th Mar, 2026  Better Times going up in trip and that better ground is what he wanted. It was holding ground in Leopardstown the last day, which he doesn't like, and I'd say he would probably go on better ground again. That trip (2m6f) give us options now and he has just taken a while to learn to settle before his races. He is A1 once he is going, but used to run his race before he ran. He is doing everything well now. We'll get him home, see how he is and we'll make a plan from there. His owners (Sandra and Peter McCarthy) picked this race out, so deserve the credit.

Naas Sun, 22nd Feb, 2026  Melbourne Shamrock It was a gritty performance. He’s been knocking on the door in a few nicer races,. It’s a great win to get for Robert, to get him qualified for Cheltenham. I’d say he should take his place in the Pertemps Final, once he gets into the race. Hopefully that won’t leave a mark on him but he is a tough, hardy, horse. Fingers crossed we can be competitive. If it was slower ground he is a thorough stayer. Ground dependent, I’d give him a chance. He’ll be a real nice staying chaser next year. Fingers crossed there might be a nice staying handicap chase in him somewhere along the line.