Thurles Thu, 9th Oct, 2025  Tickling This means a lot to me as I am very great friends with the Molonys (members in attendance to welcome back winner), who are an amazing family. I felt the family had done an amazing job with the racecourse over the past 10 years since Pierce passed away and I felt last winter was very hard on them for so many reasons. Any winner here is a pleasure but this is magic. To me this course is a huge addition to National Hunt racing for all levels and I think now there is a realisation of that. Our industry sometimes doesn't realise the value of what we have.

Leopardstown Thu, 21st Aug, 2025  Floresta She was very impressive. She came out of her last race very well and Ben said the ground is a bit kinder tonight which probably helped her a little bit. It was a good, even pace which spread everything out. He said when he asked her to go at the three marker she really came on the bridle strong. She’s a big girl, so she’s probably getting a bit better with racing and a bit of time. I was hoping she would get a bit of black-type this year and have her in training as a four-year-old. We’ll have to have a look and see if there is a Group race for her before the end of the year. I’d love to keep her as a four-year-old because I think she has the size and scope to keep improving. I was worried about her staying because I said ‘is she strong enough to stay?’ but Ben said there is no problem with her staying. She is strong but we just always thought she was that big weak frame. Maybe now with time she’s developing up into that frame.

Tipperary Fri, 8th Aug, 2025  Shahada Ace She took a long time to come into herself and Andy found a very winnable race. Hopefully the handicapper won't lose the run of himself now. The owners are from the north and travelled down today. We were hopeful as it didn't look the strongest race in the world. She has a good pedigree and we are also hoping she will strengthen up into herself. She always worked nicely but was weak, backward and small. It is only in the last couple of months that she has grown and strengthened.