We’re in front but title race will still go to the wire

The race for the trainers’ championship has certainly generated a lot of interest and it looks as if those who said it would go to the wire were spot on.

Today’s meeting at Punchestown brings down the curtain on the season and after losing out in photo finishes on two Grade 1s – the Punchestown Gold Cup and the Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle – during the week, we had a big day yesterday and went ahead of Gordon Elliott when Wicklow Brave landed the Betdaq Champion Hurdle and a first prize of €147,500.

I hadn’t realised we’d gone in front in the table until I was told coming off the stand after the race. I was just delighted for Patrick, who rode Wicklow Brave similarly to the way Frankie Dettori rode him to win the Irish St Leger last year.