I was originally due to ride Rubi Ball, who is now out for the season, in the Hennessy at Leopardstown tomorrow and so instead will team up with an old friend, Tidal Bay, for another old friend, Paul Nicholls.

I was all set to travel to Sandown today to ride Un de Sceaux in a Listed hurdle, but those plans went west yesterday morning.

Willie Mullins’ decision not to send any horses to England means it’s a weekend at home for me, at Naas today and Fairyhouse tomorrow.

Willie Mullins is firing on many fronts this weekend, with runners at three tracks today, as well as at Navan tomorrow.

Well, I was all set to be off on my travels again today to ride three horses for Willie Mullins at Sandown, but the meeting was abandoned yesterday afternoon.

Thursday will be the first St Stephen’s Day I have spent riding in this country since 2001.

It really is slim pickings for me this weekend and, with the exception of Un de Sceaux at Thurles tomorrow, I’m certainly going to struggle to get among the winners.

Cheltenham is a fair old way to travel for just one ride, but that’s the plan today.

It’s a busy weekend for Willie Mullins’ stable, with runners at four meetings, including this afternoon at Aintree, but I’m staying at home to ride at Navan, where the exciting Faugheen and Felix Yonger hold very strong claims.

I’m off on my travels again today to ride two horses for Willie Mullins at Newbury, including Prince De Beauchene in the Hennessy Gold Cup.