THE feature at Sandown this afternoon is the Tolworth Hurdle and I ride Prospect Wells in what is a tricky little contest, even if there are only five runners.
IT is very much a case of role reversal for me this weekend. Normally, I'm in England today and back in Ireland tomorrow, but it is the opposite this time round.
ON Monday morning, nice and early, I’ll head to Dublin airport for a 7.45am flight to Heathrow.
WHEN I was asked this week to write about the highs and lows of 2011 my immediate reaction was to focus on the new whip rules brought in by the BHA across the water.
TODAY at Ascot is all about Big Buck’s and his attempt to make it 14 wins in-a-row in the Long Walk Hurdle.
I KNOW the Paddy Power at Cheltenham today is the major contest of the weekend, but let’s start with the horse I consider my best ride over the two days, Hinterland in the first, a three-year-old hurdle.
AS I’m sure you are aware, I lost my appeal in London on Thursday morning against a five-day whip ban incurred at Aintree.
I SUPPOSE people were probably a little surprised I returned to action in Britain yesterday, taking one ride at Wetherby.
I HEAD to Aintree this afternoon for four rides, but three of them pale into insignificance, with all due respects to the horses involved, compared to teaming up with Master Minded in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase.
I SUPPOSE the race everyone will be looking out for today is the novice chase at Chepstow when Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti take each other on. I wouldn’t rule Michael Flips out of the equation completely, but realistically, it should be between these two.<
WHEN I walked out of Cork University Hospital exactly two weeks ago there was only one thing on my mind, the Galway Plate and Blazing Tempo.
I THINK it’s fair to say I’m more hopeful than confident facing into the final day of Punchestown this afternoon.
FIRST things first and that disappointing display by Kauto Star at Punchestown yesterday.
I WILL be most disappointed should Kauto Star fail to deliver in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown this evening.
A year ago I was injured, working for RTE and watching Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combine to land winner after winner at Punchestown.
THIS is a big weekend for Paul Townend and Davy Russell, as they go head-to-head at Sligo tomorrow in their bid to become champion jockey for the first time.
I SUPPOSE people may be a little surprised at my choice of ride, Shakervilz, in Monday’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
A WEEK ago The Midnight Club and I managed to negotiate those Grand National fences at Aintree, admittedly in our own good time, and today it’s a case of trying to do a lot better in the Scotttish equivalent at Ayr.
I HAVE had it in my head for a long time that The Midnight Club could be an ideal Grand National candidate and am obviously very much looking forward to riding him at Aintree this afternoon.
WHEN I settled down, after what was an astonishing first day of Cheltenham, I began to reflect on all of the miserable days I suffered over the previous four months.
WHEN at Sandown last Saturday, I decided to give Willie Mullins a ring in an effort to firm up some plans for Cheltenham.
IT SEMES like an eternity since I smashed my leg at Down Royal way back on November 6, but I’m now ready and raring to go and the only question is what day will I return next week.
I’LL be mildly disappointed if the appropriately named Rock On Ruby doesn’t deliver for Paul Nicholls in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham today, should the meeting pass an inspection.
THE rescheduling of Gowran Park from Thursday gives us a chance to look at this afternoon’s Thyestes Chase.
IF Kauto Star is anywhere near the horse he has been throughout his career then you’d have to think him capable of dismissing the opposition at Down Royal today.
CHELTENHAM is a magical place and I am really looking forward to seven rides there this afternoon for Paul Nicholls.
I’VE won four of the last six runnings of the Kerry National, but am no more than hopeful off adding another aboard Deutschland today.
IN THIS game, we move forward so quickly, we hardly take time to properly examine what’s gone before.
MOST people probably think the last week has been all about the likes of Master Minded and Denman, but I disagree.
NEWBURY this afternoon is all about two horses, Master Minded and Denman.
I have decided to ride Kauto Star, in preference to Denman, in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
I RIDE in all seven races at Cheltenham this afternoon and will certainly be disappointed if returning to Ireland tonight without a winner.
THE countdown to Cheltenham has really started now and it promises to be a revealing weekend, between Ascot and Haydock this afternoon and the two days at Leopardstown.
FOLLOWING a break of some two weeks, it will be smashing to get back into the swing of things at Kempton this afternoon.
FOLLOWING a break of some two weeks, it will be smashing to get back into the swing of things at Kempton this afternoon.
THERE’S a strong possibility this could well develop into a hugely frustrating weekend.
INSTEAD of teaming up with the likes of Big Buck’s, Pepe Simo and Big Fella Thanks at Ascot today, I will be spending the afternoon at home.
THE last three Saturdays have been terrific, with Kauto Star, Denman and Twist Magic, and the plan at Cheltenham today is to keep the run going.
NO Master Minded today, so I have to settle for Twist Magic in what looks a fascinating Tingle Creek at Sandown.
I THINK it will take an extraordinary display by Denman if he is to defy top weight in the Hennessy at Newbury today.
MY main ambition, as far as Cheltenham today is concerned, is to walk out of the place relatively unscathed.
I suppose you could best describe my weekend as the storm before the calm!
I’D imagine many of the readers of this paper will think the big race of the weekend is the Cork Grand National tomorrow, so let’s start with that.
I HOPE I’ll be asked to say cheese after the first race at Chepstow today.
I’M at Cheltenham today for four rides for Paul Nicholls, on what is probably best described as a low-profile meeting by the high standards of that great track.
THE million dollar question at Listowel today is can I win my fourth Kerry National?
IF I wasn’t madly optimistic regarding the prospects of Roby de Cimbre in the Plate yesterday, then the exact opposite is the case with Deutschland in the Hurdle this afternoon.
THOSE of you with long memories may remember here a year ago just how confident I was of winning the Galway Plate aboard Oslot.
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 73385.