WHAT a whirlwind fortnight it has been for the yard. The Aintree Festival was a disappointment over all and we saw our title lead slip away into a large lead for the Mullins camp. But as Paul has shown time and time again over the years he had a plan and a large team of horses were targeted at the Ayr Scottish Grand National meeting.

Some 11 horses made the arduous 400 mile journey. Donna Hills and Kevin Parker took charge of the transport and the team headed off early on Thursday morning to beat the traffic. Two runners on the Friday yielded a second and narrowed the gap with the help of a double down at Fontwell Park.