Kilbeggan Thu, 22nd Apr, 2021  Irregularheartbeat we thought she'd have won her hurdle before now. At the start of the year we thought she'd want three miles but then we dropped her back to two miles and she ran well. She was running a nice race the last day but she fell. She just got tracked back a little bit and fell at the last, she wouldn't have won but probably would have been placed. On better ground today he was better off letting her go on, up out of the way. I'd say she'll probably go over fences now.

Cheltenham Thu, 18th Mar, 2021  Telmesomethinggirl It’s been an incredible week. The horses are flying, the jockey is flying and it’s been brilliant. We’re very lucky to have good mares like these and good owners. I thought this mare had a chance. I thought on ratings we might struggle a little bit, but I thought both of ours had a squeak. Magic Daze ran a cracker as well to finish second, having made all, which is a hard thing to do in this race. I’m delighted with both of them.

Cheltenham Thu, 18th Mar, 2021  The Shunter Emmet said to jump off smart and if they weren’t going hard enough to be positive but we shouldn’t have that problem. He thought the step up in trip would suit. He tends to do his own little thing so going to the last I let him pop then he battled hard from the last. I spoke to Davy Russell through the week and he filled me with confidence and I must thank Barry O’Neill (champion amateur jockey) and Colin Bowe (leading point-to-point trainer). I didn’t know I’d got the ride until declaration time so I owe my agent Gary Cribbin a lot. I’m 20 and ride for Colin three days a week and at Cullentra House three times a week. It is probably no great reflection on me, but at the time I thought he had to go for a beginners’ chase at Punchestown in September. To go from there, via the Greatwood and Kelso, it’s been an unbelievable journey. We booked Jordan because he’s catching everyone’s attention, the owner was fairly insistent on claiming 7lb and at that Jordan was the only option. He showed why today. We went to Kelso as I thought it would be easier on the horse than the County Hurdle here, and Kelso was a huge pot in its own right. We got that one right and it’s just fallen into place since. You wouldn’t know how far he could go, what we see on the track is as wise as I can be, he doesn’t set the world alight at home but we don’t ask him to do much, the less the better. I wouldn’t know what&r

Cheltenham Wed, 17th Mar, 2021  Monkfish I think that is the most nerve-wracking race I’ve ever watched — 1-4 in a three-mile novice chase around Cheltenham is not good for the ticker, especially with the way he jumped the last. Chatting to Paul he said he was idling on the first circuit, watching the jeep on the inside, the men at the fences — anything bar concentrating on his jumping. When he started racing alongside the other one (The Big Breakaway) things started getting better. Then he had to put up with the loose horse, but at least it stayed straight. It was very nerve-wracking for me. It’s testament to him that having jumped the last the way he did he was still able to quicken away from the others, I thought that was impressive once I’d got over my fright.

Limerick Sun, 14th Mar, 2021  Mercury Lane he deserved that as he's run into some fairly all right types, including Velvet Elvis, who has won since and ran well at Navan yesterday when third. Cheekpieces sharpened him up but I'd imagine he'll be one for those competitive staying handicap chases in future. It's great that the (Nolan) horses are coming back into form.

Thurles Mon, 15th Feb, 2021  Knock Na Rea Today's trip suited as she's a three-miler really. She ran a great race the last day in Clonmel and the step up in trip helped her today. She is a good old stayer. Her owner Gerald Gormley is from Sligo. Brendan Walsh, representing

Leopardstown Sun, 7th Feb, 2021  Monkfish what can you say after a performance like that — Paul thought he should be in the next race (the Irish Gold Cup)!. I was more impressed with him today than any day. It looks like he’s getting better with each run. The ease of it was impressive. This fella has the same potential (as Florida Pearl and Al Boum Photo); everything is so effortless, and he has huge scope no matter how he meets a fence.

Leopardstown Sat, 6th Feb, 2021  Kilcruit I thought Patrick had picked the wrong one, how wrong was I!. I thought Ramillies put up a great performance here at Christmas. Patrick had huge confidence in this horse and now I can see why. My mother bred him, his granny, and he was particularly pleased to ride a winner for her and in the colours of Michael Masterson. It was a superb performance in what looked like a real good race. I was hoping he'd be a nice horse but I didn't think he had that sort of capability. That's unreal what he produced there. It's been fantasy racing today. Energumene, Chacun Pour Soi, Gaillard Du Mesnil, any trainer would like to have any one of them in his lifetime. It's been a superb day's racing. I was hoping we might get a winner or two and things have worked out really really well.

Clonmel Tue, 19th Jan, 2021  Templebredin He was very tough. That ground wouldn't be to his liking but he's very consistent. He'll head to Thurles in a few weeks for another hunter chase. He'll be a lot better on better ground and is still only young, he'll be a grand horse.

Cork Sat, 2nd Jan, 2021  Betty Zane I'm having my last two runners tomorrow if they get the papers right for Ciaran (Murphy) to take over so this is a lovely way to finish. I started 20 years ago with a winner so this is a nice way to bow out and I'd like Ciaran to get started. We're doing a role-reversal and I'll be assistant - I'll be the general dog's body and driving the van!. She is a lovely mare. We brought her schooling two weeks ago and she did it like that and when he gave her a squeeze today she just said .well, I'll go faster!.. We always thought a bit of her but she had a few issues with her wind so we gave her a long time off and got it fixed. It is lovely for the owner and Aaron has been on a good diet to ride her. He rides her at home, gets on well with her and is a top head lad for us. Today's win is an extended family affair.

Leopardstown Tue, 29th Dec, 2020  Monkfish It was a very good performance from a horse having his second run over fences, to take on more experienced rivals at a Grade One track. I was very pleased with that,. It didn’t seem to be a problem — even when he was meeting one wrong, he shortened himself. He seems to be a natural over fences. There was a lot of pressure on him going to the last, with Latest Exhibition -who has a bit more experience than him. He pulled himself together, fought his way over it, and he just had a little bit in reserve. I’d imagine we’ll look at the Flogas Chase. We’ll focus on that first — and if all goes well we can look at Cheltenham after that.

Navan Sat, 5th Dec, 2020  Kilcruit My grandmother bred him which is great and I’m sure she will be watching on. It’s a pity that she can’t be here. I rode him work for Tony before he ran in Clonmel and he ran a cracker that day. He’s improved an awful lot since. He’s a very light horse and doesn’t need a lot of work to get fit and maybe that is why he won today. I think he has a lot of ability.