Cheltenham Fri, 19th Mar, 2021  Vanillier That was fantastic. I wasn’t sure how he’d act on better ground as he’s quite a slow horse, but Mark said he travelled with loads of enthusiasm today. He showed an extra gear there he hasn’t shown before and we know he stays well. I’m not surprised he won, but I’m surprised how well he won. The ground at Christmas at Limerick was knee deep, but he stayed on well at the finish. He had a small wind op after that, but at the Dublin Racing Festival he ran no race, like all mine there that weekend and he came back a sick horse. He’s bounced back, though. He’ll go chasing next season, he’s a proper staying chaser of the future.

Fairyhouse Fri, 5th Mar, 2021  Ciao Bella It was a good opportunity and she got her five grand bonus as well so that’s why I was sticking to the mares' (maiden). It was a good step down compared to the races she had been running in so that’s job done and she’s won her (Weatherbys Ireland/ITBA NH Fillies) bonus. Hopefully three miles might improve her as she’s not quick and I don’t think the handicapper will kill her for that. She’s very straightforward and will be lovely over a fence as well. We’ll go chasing next year.

Down Royal Thu, 4th Feb, 2021  Envol Pierji He made hard work of it. I thought the step up would really help him find a gear but he made very hard work of it. We might try and find a small bit of better ground for him. Same again I think, hopefully he will improve for it. He missed a few as well and he is still learning. The handicap thing is still coming to him. Hopefully there is a small bit of improvement in him.

Limerick Sat, 26th Dec, 2020  Shadow Rider It was a nice surprise,. She did it well and probably the drier ground up here made a difference. She also had a first time tongue tie which was probably a help as well.