Navan Sat, 9th Dec, 2023  We'llhavewan We weren't sure about the ground but we stuck cheek pieces on him and we were getting in with a light weight. It was great prize-money so we took our chance and it's brilliant. It's a brilliant pot. We were a little disappointed in Cheltenham and thought that was maybe as good as he is but maybe the cheek pieces brought about more improvement. He's rated lower over fences but he didn't jump fantastic over fences before. Paul came in there and said he might be better now so we might look at something over fences next.

Fairyhouse Sun, 3rd Dec, 2023  Petit Secret He was very brave because he was very green going past the winning post first time around. It’s great for Paddy McSweeney and the Shanakiel Racing Syndicate and I think it’s their first runner since Mrs McSweeney died.

Fairyhouse Sun, 3rd Dec, 2023  I Am Maximus That’s a nice bonus on his last day as a novice. He’s a total character, as you could see from his early days racing. Paul (Townend) gave him a great ride in the Irish National and Jody gets on well with him and gave him a super ride there. He looks a class horse now rather than a handicapper, so maybe we’ll have to make different plans for him now. We were hoping he’d have a chance over the trip and the fact that it was his last day as a novice to give him the opportunity. He’s clearly improved from last year and obviously shows a liking for Fairyhouse. He has a funny action when you look at him head on and I’d imagine softer ground is to his liking. I thought he was beaten turning for home and to produce what he did up the straight was very good.

Fairyhouse Sun, 3rd Dec, 2023  I Am Maximus That’s a nice bonus on his last day as a novice. He won his maiden in nice circumstances here and has come back now to win a Grade 1 novice. He’s a total character as you could see from his early days racing. Paul gave him a great ride in the Irish National and Jody gets on well with him and gave him a super ride there. He looks a class horse now rather than a handicapper so maybe we’ll have to make different plans for him now. We were hoping he’d have a chance over the trip and the fact that it was his last day as a novice to give him the opportunity. He’s clearly improved from last year and obviously shows a liking for Fairyhouse. He has a funny action when you look at him head on and I’d imagine softer ground is to his liking. I thought he was beaten turning for home and to produce what he did up the straight was very good. This year we were maybe looking at going for the English National and whether we change and go for Grade 1 races now I’m not sure. We’ll have to have a word with Frank (Berry) and JP and see what they want to do. I didn’t speak to Paul yet but for me Sharjah clearly didn’t like the ground and you could see that from his head action.

Thurles Thu, 30th Nov, 2023  Classic Getaway We went a good, even gallop with a good horse (Aspire Tower) leading and he showed a good turn of foot from the back of the last. He is more professional and has more options over fences because he is maturing. Hopefully he will be an Arkle type – we went a good strong pace, he has a good cruising speed and stays too. It was very straightforward and he settled well. The others had had runs already this year so, on the flat, I was conscious not to do too much with him and his jumping put him back into the race. He quickened up, lengthened nicely to the last and sorted himself out and he jumped brilliantly. He has a lot of natural ability.

Thurles Thu, 30th Nov, 2023  Fun Fun Fun She jumped brilliantly and her pedigree is all three-mile chasers. The way she jumped she can stay at two miles, and she’s keen, so likes to get on with things. We might come back here for a mares’ novice hurdle at the end of the month but that might be too soon. Hopefully we’ll be going for black-type after today. She was definitely better than she was at settling - when I rode her in Punchestown, it was like her tail was on fire, but maybe that was the end of a long season. I think the hurdles will help, and I think she could jump a fence in time if the owners want to.

Thurles Thu, 30th Nov, 2023  Classic Getaway If you look at his form it reads very well and he turned over a hotpot this time last year in Gowran. He missed most of the season and came back to run with credit at Punchestown. We were hoping he could do something like that and he always promised but is thankfully starting to deliver. His jumping is so good and he probably wasn't getting that advantage over hurdles. For a horse of his size he has great agility and with that size, maybe he was that bit weak early in his career. We took a few nice scalps there and hopefully it is on towards Christmas now and find another spot for him.

Tramore Tue, 28th Nov, 2023  Where's My Jet I hadn't sat on him at home - Rachel (Robins), who is leading him up, does all the work with him at home and has had a good week as it's the third winner out of her barn. he was very good and was entitled to do it on his form. He settled lovely for me and to be fair he quickened out of the dip nicely as well. He gave me a good feel. He could only beat what was there but I liked him.

Cork Sun, 26th Nov, 2023  Meetingofthewaters . Paddy thought he'd win, he had been working well and was confident coming back to a 0-116 beginners, which was a big drop in class. He was confident enough he'd do the business. I was behind the leader Ideal Du Tabert but I had a look behind and the others were a long way behind. I knew it was an exaggerated gap and I was happy I'd pick up the leader. He had a small scare at the last, that was all. I think he is entered in the (Paddy Power Chase, at Christmas) but this was a 0-116 at the end of the day.

Cork Sun, 26th Nov, 2023  Readin Tommy Wrong Some of ours are taking a run at the moment and I think he can build on that. Often Willie's (Mullins) biggest problem is he has other horses in the race which can beat them but this was a nice starting point and there is plenty to build on. He jumped big over the last two and it was nice to hear his number being called - I was hoping I wasn't beaten and in fairness the other horse (Lisnagar Fortune) has probably improved. Lisnagar Fortune was dropping back in trip which probably suited.

Punchestown Sat, 25th Nov, 2023  Gaelic Warrior It was a very good performance, way better than I expected. I thought he was a bit novicey at one or two, but never looked like falling and he ran very fresh today. We all know he stays and he might go a longer trip but maybe after that performance I need to have a rethink about him. He’d have no problem going two and a half miles and two miles would be no problem to him either the way he ran there. We thought there would be a lot more pace in the race, but it seemed to evaporate and Paul was happy enough to make it. He was just a bit gassy today on his first run and maybe he will settle later on in the season.

Punchestown Sat, 25th Nov, 2023  Predators Gold He put it to bed very quickly I thought. A massive jump at the last showed there was a bit in the tank and I just had to keep him up to his work. He was very impressive and there is a lot of improvement in him. I thought it was a hell of a performance considering where he was at the third last. He looks a really nice recruit.

Punchestown Sat, 25th Nov, 2023  State Man I had a little peep leaving the back straight and saw where Jack was, I had a fair idea what was coming and what they had in their minds. It is easy to cover it when you are on the best horse!. He is so chilled out - he runs in the earplugs and he is winning with them so we haven't taken them out. I don't know if he needs them or not but why change it?. Paul was much happier getting down off him this year than he was last year, so maybe there is a bit of improvement there for this season. I thought he’d won turning for home and I was surprised when there was a bit of a shemozzle and I got a bit of a fright for a couple of seconds but was happy enough then. Impaire Et Passe will go to Fairyhouse next weekend and we’ll try and keep them apart for as long as we can. They all have to get there in March, so we’ll concentrate on the domestic scene for the moment.

Punchestown Sat, 25th Nov, 2023  State Man Paul was much happier getting down off him this year than he was last year so maybe there is a bit of improvement there for this season,. I thought he’d won turning for home and I was surprised when there was a bit of a shemozzle and I got a bit of a fright for a couple of seconds, but was happy enough then. Impaire Et Passe will go to Fairyhouse next weekend (Hatton’s Grace Hurdle) and we’ll try to keep them apart for as long as we can. They all have to get there in March so we’ll concentrate on the domestic scene for the moment.

Thurles Thu, 23rd Nov, 2023  Klassical Dream you could see Klassical Dream was probably a third or fourth-season novice the way he jumped because he was very efficient. I had been trying to go over fences with him for the past couple of years but he had little mishaps which would have meant he'd miss half the season. We bided our time and this year he has been 100% and let's hope he stays that way now. He is a Supreme Novice winner and we know he has plenty of stamina so you could go any trip with him. We'll look at Christmas for him as it is nice timing-wise.

Thurles Thu, 23rd Nov, 2023  Westport Cove It was a very good performance, his jumping was very slick and he jumped like a handicapper. I think he was a lot more settled and is maturing. . We just have to go up in grade now - he is sharp enough for two miles but I have no problem going further either. We'll look for something around Christmas maybe.

Naas Sun, 12th Nov, 2023  Dinoblue she (Dinoblue) jumped well and handled the ground well. It’s a nice start to the season and you couldn’t be happier with her. I’m not sure what plans Willie has for her but I’m sure there will be similar (races) down the road. She was getting all the allowances which was a huge help. She will come on from the run and Mark (Walsh, winning jockey) was delighted with her.