WITH the Fighting Fifth Hurdle being moved to Newbury, we have a proper day’s racing.

It’s not a great weekend to be missing, with some really good racing and even now, I’m guessing at where I’d be riding today if I was fit. But now I don’t have to make a decision, I’m not going to even try to make a call.

I’M just about coming to terms now with what happened at Down Royal last Saturday, it was certainly an afternoon of mixed fortune and mixed emotion.

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.

IT would be remiss of me this week not to start with Paddy Mullins, who was, quite simply, a genius and a legend.

I HAVE felt the need, for a little while now, to comment on the manner in which the Turf Club continues to roster its race-day officials.

CHELTENHAM is a magical place and I am really looking forward to seven rides there this afternoon for Paul Nicholls.

IN LOTS of ways, at least for me, today marks the real start of the National Hunt season. I’m at Chepstow and ride seven horses 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.

IT’S nice to be back with you this morning, if only briefly, having been on the sidelines of this great game of ours since last April.