The talking is about to end and the meeting we have been waiting for since the start of the season,

I’m a virtual certainty to make it to Cheltenham now, after Willie Mullins decided yesterday I was to take the weekend off.

I spent Thursday night in London, at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, attending a testimonial dinner for Ronan O’Gara.

I hope Gowran Park today survives an inspection, because the exciting Un de Sceaux looks a penalty kick in a Grade 2 hurdle.

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.