I have a day off today, but there is National Hunt racing at Wexford and Willie’s only runner is Pont De Alma, in the bumper.

Due to the problem I spoke of in this column last week - rain, or, more specifically, the lack of it - we’re still waiting to really get going with our National Hunt horses, but Don Cossack didn’t half throw down an early marker with a brilliant comeback this week at Punchestown.

It’s great to be back at the start of the national hunt season once more, and there’s so much to look forward to for the months ahead, writes Ruby Walsh.

Today’s Galway Hurdle is an absolutely cracking race.

I’ve been to the Melbourne Cup, Breeders’ Cup, Hong Kong International Races and Dubai Carnival — all fantastic festivals in their own right — but none of them top Royal Ascot.

The ground wasn’t as slow as I thought it would be yesterday and it had an impact on all my rides, writes Ruby Walsh. 

It is Round Four for the season in Ireland between Hurricane Fly and Jezki but it is a battle with a difference this time, taking place over three miles in the World Hurdle (5.30). 

Things didn’t all go to plan yesterday but you won’t complain with two winners nonetheless. I picked the wrong one big time in the Champion Chase and my hope that Champagne Fever might reproduce his best form proved unfounded. It was 50-50 with Felix Yonger and it didn’t surprise me that he stuck it out so well in the end.

Punchestown is one of the most important weeks of the year and just like Cheltenham, it starts for me with Douvan (4.20). He seems in really good form and is coming off a brilliant performance in winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

AP McCoy calls time on the most successful career in the history of jump racing today and I would have made sure I was in Sandown for it to join in on the celebrations, whether I had a ride or not, writes Ruby Walsh