VERY busy with his Madden-based company Krafty Kitchens & Bedrooms and with building a new house and yard, Ronan McNally had scaled back his racing commitments recently and hasn’t had a point-to-point runner for the past two seasons.

However, he made up for lost time in the past 10 days by saddling Violoniste to justify favouritism over hurdles at Perth last Thursday, when Richard Johnson was in the saddle, and at Uttoxeter on Tuesday when he turned to his good friend Ciaran Fennessy, the new southern region point-to-point champion, to partner the bay.

Speaking to Ronan following Violoniste’s Scottish success, the Armagh trainer revealed that the seven-year-old Epalo gelding had only been in his yard for roughly two months, having previously been trained by Sam Drake to win handicap hurdles at Southwell and Carlisle in April and May.

While Violoniste won in the colours of the No Cream Bun Partnership, McNally’s five-year-old son Kian was spotted at Perth in the J.P. McManus colours long worn by one of his great heroes, A.P. McCoy. “Kian wanted no other presents last Christmas but the colours of A.P. and Ruby Walsh (Susannah Ricci),” explained Ronan. “He’s got the breeches, boots, helmet and goggles and goes everywhere in them. He’s a great wee rider and actually trots Violoniste up and down the lane.”

Ronan got engaged during the Punchestown Festival to his longterm partner Sheena Kerr and the new yard will not only house Violoniste and the very consistent See Double You, on whom McNally won a handicap hurdle at Hexham in March, but also Sheena’s much-loved Bob, aka Pegasus, who Ronan broke for John Woods before buying him.

Sheena competes with the eight-year-old dark bay gelding in Eventing Ireland and Riding Club competitions. Tomorrow, they are representing the Castle Leslie club at Intermediate level at the Connolly’s Red Mills AIRC national show jumping championships in Mullingar. No doubt, if he’s not racing Kian will be along to help his mother.