After race at Dundalk Fri, 8th Nov, 2024 (1st)  Gary's a good judge of pace and the horse has obviously come down a lot in the handicap. He's a funny old horse - he's by Kingman and he has his own thoughts on the game, but he owes us nothing. He has been a great servant for us. Delighted for Seamus (Devlin), big supporter of the yard and he has been very patient with him. He was running into a bit of form based on his last run and even his run before that in Navan was a pretty decent run. It would be nice if he could back it up, but today was the day. John C McConnell

After race at Dundalk Fri, 10th Mar, 2023 (1st)  he keeps delivering, is very consistent and Helen Mooney has a lot to do with his rejuvenation. She rides him every day and treats him like a baby, so I have to thank her. He loves the surface, loves an even track and has found his vein of form. Seamus (Devlin, owner) does a lot of the planning himself so we'll have a chat about plans but he might come back here. He'll stay 1m2f so has loads of options. I don't know about running on the turf as he is so good on this surface. We might look at Lingfield and Mulgrave (stablemate) might have a challenger! He'd be entitled to have a go and he would suit Lingfield. It is brilliant as he wasn't an expensive horse. John C McConnell

After race at Dundalk Fri, 27th Jan, 2023 (1st)  you can see Higher Kingdom is quirky, he is going diagonally up the straight. He doesn't find a lot for whip, he's more a hands and heels ride but has ability and obviously stays this trip. It was a really good ride and, unfortunately, Siobhan has got nine days for the whip last week. Really when you look at nine days at this time of year, it isn't really fair. The crime doesn't justify the punishment and the powers that be need to have a look at separating things between the all-weather and the turf. Nine days in May is a big difference to nine days here - for something a couple of smacks over the limit in a tight finish. I think she is suspended until the turf season starts - it is more than a month, which is very frustrating for her and very frustrating for me. I don't think there are any grounds for an appeal because they are the rules as they stand. Even if she could defer it or something like that, basically she will be denied her living for six or seven weeks. That can't be right for the crime. John C McConnell

After race at Dundalk Wed, 14th Dec, 2022 (1st)  It worked out very well. I think he is a horse that likes space - in Galway he was in front and I think he enjoyed that. He is well handicapped if you look at his form from England. He's a very quirky horse. When we bought him, Joe Foley told me they thought he was a Guineas horse as a two-year-old, but I think he has his own ideas about the game. He was on a going day today obviously, so that was great. He has got ability but he doesn't always give it to you, but he has today and the owner has been very patient. John C McConnell