We have two runners in Saturday’s Comerford Cakes Open Puppy 525 on Saturday which will be contested by three members of the first litter out of Ballydoyle Honey.

The editor has reminded me that I was a bit “luke warm” on the litter when they first schooled. I never thought they were poor but I wasn’t convinced the pups would turn out as well as they have. There are probably three main reasons for that.

Firstly, I tend to be quite pessimistic because there have been too many times when you can wear rose tinted glasses with pups only to be let down. That is even more true when they are not that big in stature. If they are 80lb dogs you think they will have much more scope to improve. These are around 70lbs.

Secondly, it has to be said, they were a bit slow to mature. As they have got older though, they really seem to be so much sharper in their attitude.

Finally, it can be quite deceptive when you get a litter that seem quite level on ability.  If you get one that is four lengths faster than the rest, you assume he is the open racer and the others are graders. When there are several of similar ability, you assume that they are all ‘okay’.

I think our two are in with decent chances. Riverside Larry in particular has the ability to lead all the way though he has to do it from the front.

We also have Clonbrien Prince in the Slyne Memorial at Cork, an event that he and Skywalker Logan have dominated. Logan was slightly quicker in the early rounds, Prince was quicker in the semi finals. The draw has worked out pretty well, I am delighted that we are drawn on Logan’s inside.

The editor has asked me for how it feels to be on target for a seventh year as  top trainer. I think he has been watching too many SKY Sports reporters looking for interesting quotes. I am just too boring.

I can honestly say, I had no idea how many times we have done it. I realise that many people won’t believe me, but it really doesn’t interest me. Some nights we will get home and I don’t know how many winners we have had.

I’m not saying that I am not competitive, because I definitely am. I just don’t dwell on things. I live for winners, but soon as they’ve crossed the line I am only thinking about the next one.

This year is almost over, what has 2019 got in store?