Punchestown Thu, 28th Apr, 2022  Blue Lord they quickened a bit about the fourth last and I thought Saint Sam was running a cracker until he genuflected at the second last. I couldn't believe how much Paul (Townend) pulled out of our fellow, I thought Coeur Sublime had stolen the race between the last two. Paul said he didn't want to appear in front too soon because at Leopardstown he looked all over the place and indeed he did that again today. Once he gets to the front he just thinks the race is over and he loses concentration. Paul timed it perfectly. This is probably an easier track to see a race (than Cheltenham) out but I don't think going back to Cheltenham would be a problem. Paul is getting to know him better and the horse is improving and getting stronger. I thought he probably wants 2m4f next year and most of mine will probably start here in the John Durkan, it's a good race to start with. He'll probably mix it between two and 2m4f - we'll give him a shot at going down the Champion Chase route but I think two-and-a-half might be better.

Cheltenham Tue, 15th Mar, 2022  Constitution Hill That was awesome. I know what the second horse is and I would have been very surprised if anything could have done that to Jonbon, so he must be an extraordinary animal. The hype horse earlier on in the year was Jonbon, then this fella woke up from his slumbers at home and we suddenly realised that actually he was very good. He’s been very good but the big question was how much he actually knew, he’s run in two hurdle races with four runners in each. To suddenly go out there and go at that gallop, that’s the extraordinary thing. He can travel so easily at that pace and then pick it up, to find gears at the end of a headlong gallop like that was extraordinary.

Navan Tue, 22nd Feb, 2022  Madmansgame He's a real three-mile chaser, an old-fashioned chaser. He's done some nice work at home but he was still very green there today and I think he'll learn a lot from that. Patrick thought he was very idle in front, and green, and when the other horses came to his hindquarters he picked up again and he thought he had plenty in reserve. It's a big open track and going wide too just showed how green he was. We're very happy that he made a winning debut. I think he's booked his ticket for Cheltenham.

Navan Tue, 22nd Feb, 2022  Brampton Belle I'm delighted with that, she really toughed it out and Rachael was brilliant on her. That's her gig, she stays well, jumps well and I'd say the softer the better for her. The plan was always to come here and then head on to Limerick (March 13th) for the mares' novice there over two-miles-six (Grade 3 Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle).

Leopardstown Sat, 5th Feb, 2022  Blue Lord It was a good performance, he did what was required. It was a tough race, there was no hiding place there as there was plenty of pace on up front. He jumped well throughout, he came under a little bit of pressure turning for home but once he got running going to the last it was just a matter of jumping the last I thought. He jumped well today and I couldn't fault what he did, I'm happy enough he did everything right. Paul said when he got to the front he just did what he did in Naas, he just idled. Between the wind and the crowd here today you could see him looking around himself. I'm very happy with his performance. Saint Sam (in third) needs to learn a lot. He made two bad mistakes but got away with it, he's a horse that can find a fifth leg. We're very happy with them and happy that Haut En Couleurs got up off the ground as well.

Naas Sun, 2nd Jan, 2022  Blue Lord That looks a nice improvement on what he did the first day and I’d say he’s improving all the time.

Naas Sun, 2nd Jan, 2022  Blue Lord To me he had no business going up the inside. To do that manoeuvre you are supposed to be clear of the other horse to come back out.

Leopardstown Tue, 28th Dec, 2021  Redemption Day He's a lovely young horse, by Blue Bresil. I bought him out of Pat Doyle's nursery and from the time we started to work him he showed us that he could be good bumper material. Today I think he's even better than what he showed me at home. I'm very happy with him. We'll probably be looking at coming back here for the Dublin Racing Festival and certainly looking at the big bumper.