QUIET PERIOD

It’s always a quieter period after Cheltenham Festival and before Aintree’s three-day John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

PAUL NICHOLLS UPDATE

This morning I rode work and schooled a few for Paul Nicholls and I’m pleased to report that the horses are in great form. Their coats are shining, fresh and touch wood, everything’s moving in the right direction in time for the Cheltenham Festival.

MORNING LINE & WEEKEND RACING

Last Saturday I was the guest on Channel 4’s Morning Line live from Kempton Park at 7.55am which meant a very early start for me.

TODAY’S RACING

After milking the cows – my traditional Tuesday morning duties – I’m off to Taunton for three rides. It’s a competitive card which sees Ruby Walsh travel over from Ireland especially.

LOVING HALO

On Saturday Celestial Halo and I won the stanjames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park bringing his career earnings to nearly £490,000. It was a tough battle, winning by two lengths.  I’ve won three races on him this season and he’s an absolute legend.  He’ll have a break and freshen up ahead of Cheltenham Festival – our next stop.

PLENTY OF PRIZE-MONEY

What a cracking couple of days... Saturday, Hey Big Spender won at Warwick carrying top weight at 14-1. It was a bloody good effort and the whole yard is delighted, especially for Garth and Anne (Brocade Racing), the owners, who were interviewed much to their delight by Derek Thompson for Channel 4 Racing.

JANUARY – A QUIET MONTH

The start of the New Year is traditionally a quiet period in racing – horses have their annual vaccinations, recover from a busy December schedule and Cheltenham Festival campaigns are starting to take effect.

RACING CALLED OFF
On Saturday, I drove the lorry to Lingfield Park. We got all the way, arriving 9.45am with temperatures still –1C only for racing to be called off 15 minutes later! 

DISAPPOINTING WEEKEND

I had a dismal Saturday at Chepstow and got beat. These things happen but I had expected more from the day. It’s the same feeling like a birthday – when you don’t get the present you wanted, but I’m determined for a better week ahead.

CUE CARD

We ran Cue Card at Newbury last week and he was nabbed on the line by Nicky Henderson’s Bobs Worth which is ****ing annoying.

WELL DONE TEAM DITCHEAT

A fortnight ago, Paul Nicholls celebrated 2,000 winners at Wincanton and once again, we experienced another sensational Saturday with Master Minded and Kauto Star victories at Ascot and Haydock Park.

THE OPEN REVIEW

Last weekend, Cheltenham Racecourse staged the thrilling three-day Open meeting and successfully attracted bumper crowds with the most competitive racing.