Fairyhouse Sat, 10th Oct, 2020  Court Maid I told David that these might be a bit slicker than she is, more experienced that her, and to maybe wait a bit with her which he did,. The all got racing six furlongs out and David decided no and came late. That was the deciding thing. I was happy enough with her jumping even though she was maybe a bit sketchy at a few. I was expecting her to win and she did. She wants three miles but doesn't want winter heavy so we'll see where we go from here. There is supposed to be a good program for novice mares so we'll test that now. I'm thrilled with her, she's well bred and is a great mare really as she's won seven now. I was delighted with her jumping, she was a bit sketchy compared to Galway, but I was happy enough with her. We'll find a mares novice and I'll definitely try not to come back in trip.

Downpatrick Fri, 9th Oct, 2020  Laughing Trix He (Conor Maxwell) thought jumping the last that he was home as one thing she does do is keep galloping. She’s a grand mare and I always thought she would win a race somewhere along the line. She won her point-to-point first-time out and has just disappointed a bit. Everything came well today — the ground and the stiff track and she just kept plugging out. He (Maxwell) does ride the track well. She is in next week (at Kilbeggan) and we’ll see how she is but if the ground is the way it is we might go again.

Clonmel Thu, 1st Oct, 2020  Eimear she stays well, travelled well and jumped brilliantly. I was wary enough turning in - I wanted to let her stride on and didn't want it to turn into a sprint. I probably won too far but I was afraid that one might do her for toe. She is very consistent, wasn't right the last day and Matty has his horses back in good form and there's no better man that Matty to have them ready.

Sligo Mon, 14th Sep, 2020  Court Adjourned It was a a little bit unexpected. I don’t normally run horses back as quick. Ideally I’d have given her two weeks. I just freshened her up after she ran and we didn’t do an awful lot of work and it just seems to suit her that way. She just seems to be happy in herself. It was a surprise because I thought maybe she’d want this (run) again, but because there’s not that many races for her in this grade we came here. Normally she’d be on the boat and I’d be in Hexham or Perth or somewhere and I’d have found something for her there. I thought when Paddy hit the front he’d gone too early, but in fairness to her, in the bits of work she’s done for me, she stays galloping and she’d won a point-to-point so, at the end of the day, I had to leave it up to him and she kept going well.

Punchestown Wed, 9th Sep, 2020  Ellie Mac I’m delighted for the syndicate and all credit to John Schuster who suggested trying her in blinkers. They seem to have done the trick.

Downpatrick Sun, 9th Aug, 2020  Lighthouse Rose If she had jumped the second last the last day she would have won and she jumped neither (it nor the last) - if she had jumped either she would have won (when third at this track in July). She is locally owned, it's a builder's but no-one is able to be here. She could come north again. She’s only a small mare and had no weight today. I’ll maybe run her over three miles at Sligo on Wednesday week.

Kilbeggan Sat, 1st Aug, 2020  Empirion He jumps well but maybe over the winter out of the heavy ground he was finding it harder over fences. He was a bit weak as well.

Galway Fri, 31st Jul, 2020  Nibblers Charm His run the last day sharpened him up; he can race on and off the bridle so we gave him a few spins on the flat and it worked out grand. The 7lbs was a huge help carrying 9st9lbs and it is Simon's first ride for me, and I'm delighted for him and he gave him a great spin. We were hoping he'd get into the Grade B hurdle, but that's my first Galway festival winner and we won't be greedy!. We might look at taking him across to Cheltenham for the November meeting and he has plenty of size and scope to jump fences; I want to have a crack at a big pot before we go chasing.

Kilbeggan Fri, 17th Jul, 2020  Eimear I’m delighted to get a winner for Gerry Smyth. He’s not with me that long and is a lovely man.

Kilbeggan Mon, 29th Jun, 2020  Musical Ava She deserves every bit of it, she's been unlucky. She was second twice last year and on her second last run she was only beaten a head at Tramore. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here.