There’s a real hint of the Christmas blues about Irish racing this weekend, with small fields essentially the order of the day at both Cork this afternoon and Naas tomorrow.

Back in Leopardstown this afternoon for what will be a busy few days and I get started on Buiseness Sivola, for Willie Mullins, in the juvenile hurdle.

Today at Fairyhouse, at least as far as I’m concerned, is all about Un de Sceaux in the two-mile beginners chase.

I have five rides at Navan tomorrow but just a couple this afternoon at Tramore.

I’m in Navan for four rides this afternoon, and start off on Hold The Line for Pat Shanahan in the opening maiden hurdle.

I flew from Shannon to Heathtrow on Thursday night, after riding two winners at Thurles, and was looking forward to a couple of days at Newbury.

It was a bit like old times yesterday, riding at Haydock and then heading down the M6, for about four hours, on the way to Ascot.

It’s Punchestown for me over the next two days, with the battle between Hurricane Fly and Jezki in tomorrow’s Morgiana Hurdle likely to prove the big talking point of the weekend.

I head to Naas this afternoon for three rides, none of them representing Willie Mullins.

This weekend promises plenty, as Willie Mullins takes the wraps off some of his better horses, with an ease in the ground finally arriving.