Punchestown Mon, 24th Feb, 2025  Johnny Cakes He has a great bunch of owners. It’s a partnership that I put together between a few guys I know and met. It’s their first winner as a partnership. I thought he’d run well in Clonmel, but I’d say he got away with murder at home over Christmas. He races a bit lazy and we figured that out in Clonmel the last day and changed his training regime a little bit. I think it’s made a big difference. Tiernan is a free 5lb and it’s great to have him on side. I hope he feels the same and it’s good to be part of our team. The team of staff that I have at home at the moment are second to none, I have the most amazing bunch of people around me and I’m very fortunate. Tiernan is fortunate to have them around him too, and him and I are in a good place. The horses have been running very consistently for four years. We mightn’t have a good horse, but the horses are running very consistently. We are trying to build and find a better type of horse and get our level of quality up a little bit. It’s a slow burner and hard work, but I feel that we are getting there.

Punchestown Mon, 24th Feb, 2025  Without Exception We went up to Down Royal thinking we were going to get a dig in the ground, but it was like summer good ground on the chase course and he just didn’t act on it. The plan was to try and find a handicap chase, but there wasn’t one so we said we’d come back for a handicap hurdle. He loves soft ground and I think he’d be better on the main track here as he’s such a big lad. I said to Tiernan to stay out wide, he is riding with unbelievable confidence. He’s a great guy and I’m very lucky he’s associated with us. John (Leckey) is a super owner, he’s a great supported and is with me for years. He never interferes, just let’s me tip away at it. He has a huge interest and is a great guy. I’m very lucky with the people I have around me.