Impaire Et Passe dominant in opener

It was quite a deep race, Champ Kiely, Gaelic Warrior, Hermes Allen from England — all horses with good form lines. It was competitive, Willie was right to go for the Ballymore and not the Supreme. He’s really a blank canvas, that was the fourth run of his life, he’s won by six and a half lengths and came over the last in the lead. The sky’s the limit at the moment — the dream is very much alive. That was good, I was very impressed. When he got through, the change of pace coming down the last — wow. I think that was just his fourth run of his life so there’s improvement there. I’m looking at him as a chaser, but you have to ask yourself would you stay hurdling? You have to look at Champion Hurdles and things. Yesterday I was telling Michael Buckley (owner of Constitution Hill) that we were going to have go off and shop again to buy one to beat him, but maybe we have one here. His jumping is great, so maybe we have one.

The Real Whacker hangs on from Gerri Colombe

. He races in a great manner — although he’s in front and he’s doing a lot of the hard work you’re able to get the breathers in everywhere you want. With his jumping he’s always filling himself up, my God it feels like a long way up the run-in!

Langer Dan tastes Cheltenham success

He’s a great horse to train because he puts it all in when it matters. The best thing that happened is that they shut the door on him two out which meant battle was renewed, and he likes that because he had to get out of jail as if it was another race. What this horse has got is heart. He’s all heart and it’s part of him. He comes alive in the spring, but we’ve got more chances to come. Compared to Wille Mullins we’re in the foothills, but we strive to get better and our team is stacked with talent.

Energumene different class in Champion Chase

Elliott's Delta Work beats stablemate Galvin in Cross Country

I love the cross-country race. It was great to have the one-two and see Galvin run a great race because he will come on for it. I’m pleased for Keith who is having his best ever season, but Jack (Kennedy, injured stable jockey) is a team player and he’s here lending his support. Jack will be back on these horses when he’s passed fit to return. Both horses will now go for the Grand National.

A Dream To Share all round

I was always happy with the horse all the way through, he’s been a nice horse since day one but I was concerned about the ground today to be honest. I knew the horse was tip-top but I was worried about the ground so I’m delighted with the way it worked out. Just with the ground I worried that he’d get there too soon, but the young man was fantastic. He’s been coming in every morning to ride him. He’ll muck out and he’ll do everything, I just hope he keeps his feet on the ground now. I’ve been coming here since 1976 and we had the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 1993 with Shuil Ar Aghaidh (trained by his brother, Paddy). I’m 86 in May, I gave up riding three years ago with Covid. I’ve spent my life in racing, you never think as a youngster you’d get to be in this hallowed spot. This horse is named well isn’t he, they named him on Christmas day as a family, A Dream To Share, it’s lovely.