There was a bit of magic about yesterday for us in Galway as New Magic won the one mile handicap under a great ride by Kevin Manning. It was very hard luck on Fran Berry, who was due to ride and would have liked the winner as he is going well in the jockeys’ championship.

What a start it was for the Galway festival with an increase in attendance figures on the Monday from last year.

You’re afraid to talk about how well the yard is going for fear of jinxing it but I couldn’t be happier at the moment, as the last few weeks have been very good. Mind you, I was beginning to have my doubts last Saturday evening.

GOLDEN Kite landed the €50,000 Gigginstown House Midland National at Kilbeggan last night, getting the better of Decoy Daddy on the run-in after the last fence fall of narrow leader Classic Frontier and then surviving a Stewards Enquiry.