O'Brien's Highly Approved wins Dundalk's opener

Dandy gains third Dundalk win for Mayo based Birrane

we knew from his work at home that he could do a bit more than a mile and a half but the way he won today impressed me. He took a hold at the start and got a bit buzzed up but Denis did a good job and got him settled. He could go hurdling in the future; we haven't schooled him yet but we're hoping he'll jump them. It's been a lucky place for us here. We have a polytrack gallop at home and we also have the beach (at Killala, Co Mayo) so it suits us here. We have more coming in for the grass in the next couple of weeks.

Collins' Nivvo makes it 'lucky 13' with maiden win under Smullen

she was due that and in fairness she's been very consistent and has run into some good horses in her maidens. She has a good pedigree and it was important that she won a maiden. We dropped her back because it was a fillies' maiden and Pat gave her a lovely ride. She quickened well and put it to bed really turning in. I'd have no problem running her again over a mile or further. Tonight is the first time she was drawn well and Pat made full use of it. I think she won because it was a strongly run mile.

Reckless Lad has 'record' in sight with 8th Dundalk success

everything was in front of Killian and I thought he judged it to perfection; he felt a furlong out that Red Avenger was running all over him and that he had to go then, to have any chance. He switched up the inside and picked up really well for him, and battled when he had to then. He's been a great servant but a year ago we didn't think he would make it back. He was in Troytown (veterinary clinic) for a week and they said he might come back in six months time. He had 22 different things wrong with him but it was mainly his knee and Troytown were brilliant and they recommended plenty of rest. Within six weeks of being in hospital he was 100 percent sound. He's a very tough horse and has a great attitude to coping with pain. All through his life he was stiff but he's moving better now than he ever has before.

War Hero is rewarded for winter consistency

Ronan (Whelan) said it will do his confidence a lot of good; he is a very genuine horse but it's good for him to win after finishing second three times in row. This was an afterthought as the plan was to win last week and then freshen him up, but I saw this race and said I'd put him in it. I was surprised at the ratings that he slotted in so nicely and I couldn't resist. He deserves a little break now; we might find one more race up here and then wait for the dry ground, which could be a while!

Singapore-bound Ryker scores for returning rider

Ross (Coakley) is apprenticed to Johnny Murtagh but he comes into us two mornings a week. He was in Australia (with Gai Waterhouse) for a month, and is an apprentice with plenty of experience so he's very valuable in those sort of races. This horse tends to get a bit on his toes behind the stalls and last week he got very upset, and Conor Hoban said he was really panicking. He had a bit of a think before he went in again but travelled though the race lovely and picked up well. He goes to Singapore later this month to continue his career out there. I'm sure he'll win plenty of races and give them plenty of fun. Eric Koh is a good supporter and we've had plenty of luck for him.

Martin and Leonard complete Dundalk doubles

we've always felt this fella was better than what he was showing, and just out of desperation we said we'd try the visor on him - he worked well with Reckless Lad in a visor recently. He travelled real well through the race, and Killian gave him a lovely ride again. He needs to be covered up as long as possible and it was a lovely ride.