Cheltenham Fri, 15th Mar, 2024  Stellar Story To be honest we thought he was overpriced, we knew he’d love the ground and he’s as tough as old nails. He stayed very well and Sam was good and positive. We were probably a little bit fortunate that the second horse missed the last as we’ve collared him on the line, but it was brilliant. I knew he was getting there, I just didn’t think he was getting there in time. To tell you the honest truth, I wasn’t going to run him. I was going to run Croke Park in the race and he was lame on Wednesday morning, so I brought this horse over late. I was going to send him to Aintree for a three-mile hurdle, so it shows what I know. He was bought to be a big chaser, that’s what he is. He’s a lovely horse. Sam is a big part of the team and I’m delighted for him.

Cheltenham Tue, 12th Mar, 2024  Chianti Classico I thought at one stage ‘oh no, David is getting too brave’, but he jumped for fun and was cantering coming down the hill wasn’t he?. David has been confident the whole way through, so he was right. He was absolutely adamant from day one he was riding this horse (instead of Trelawne). He adores the horse and says he’s a complete terrier, and he’s done that today like a terrier. He’s as hard as nails, he’s not very big but he’s got so much ability and is so agile, he always has been. When Aiden Murphy and I bought him, we said we’d bring him here, but I never thought it would actually happen!

Thurles Thu, 22nd Feb, 2024  Madge A Chroi She is a granddaughter of Cailin Alainn (eight-time winner) who we had great days with and her same owner John O'Mahony has been with me a long time. We were happy with her run the first day, but the race has been working out unbelievably bad. There was a lot of talk for a couple of fancied runners in today's race, but the owners still had a few quid each-way on so it was grand. She was eligible for the EBF 5,000 bonus today and we'll now have to consider going for another bumper and wait to go hurdling next season.

Punchestown Mon, 5th Feb, 2024  Morricone It helped that they didn’t go a mad gallop early as he was stepping back up in trip, but he’s seen it out great,. Darragh gave him a fantastic ride and I’m delighted for the boys (Ballyvara Racing Syndicate) who are all here again.

Naas Sun, 28th Jan, 2024  Embassy Gardens that was a really good performance and what I like about this horse is that he really loves jumping. When he sees a fence he wants to jump it and that’s a huge asset in this game. He jumps, stays and does everything right. He’s learned to settle now and is much easier to ride. He looks a natural for staying chasing and he’ll go for one of the staying chases in Cheltenham.

Naas Sun, 28th Jan, 2024  Embassy Gardens That was a really good performance and what I like about this horse is that he really loves jumping. When he sees a fence, he wants to jump it and that’s a huge asset in this game. He jumps, he stays and does everything right. He’s learned to settle now and is much easier to ride. He looks a natural for staying chasing and he’ll go for one of the staying chases in Cheltenham.

Navan Sat, 20th Jan, 2024  My Trump Card It's very tough work and he probably sent him on plenty early today, I was giving out to him the last day for not making enough use of him!. He said he was idling in front and was never going to get beat. He's a big, raw horse and we might put cheek pieces on him the next day. He's very laid-back and you couldn't give him enough work. He's probably more of a chaser than a hurdler, he said when he's right he's good but when he's wrong he has no respect for hurdles. He'll maybe head straight for the Albert Bartlett now.

Punchestown Mon, 15th Jan, 2024  Morricone He ran well here the last day and just ran into one of Eddie Cawley’s and his horses are in great form. They went good and hard which suited us and stretched them out. He’s qualified for the final of the Full Circle Series (at the festival here). I think there is another race back here at the end of the month and we can give him a break after that. A huge thanks to Mags and Danny (Mullins) who were very straight with us when we bought the horse. We didn’t have to figure anything out as they told us everything. He has small little issues that need a bit of time between his races, he just gets a little stiff, so you wouldn’t rush him back out. The syndicate are all local Toomevara people, and I’m delighted to get them a winner.