The big news from Commonstown today is that we are losing Dragon Pulse, who will race in France for the coming year.

The first thing I must do is assure readers that Steps To Freedom is absolutely fine and I really just had a change of heart with regards to running him at Dundalk last night.

I had no runners last weekend, or so far this month for that matter.

The two-day Leopardstown meeting is one of the busiest and most important we have had for a while.

I GENERALLY go on a skiing holiday at this time of the year, when the racing scene is quite enough and so this column is coming to you from Megeve in France.

I HAVE had my fill of hospitals in recent weeks, having had to go with Kate a couple of weeks ago after she broke her wrist, and then spending the last week going up and down with Johnny.

I WAS happy with Oscars Well in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last Sunday.

THE Morgiana Hurdle has cut up quite a bit which is a pity. It’s a real trappy race and I’m not quite sure what is going to make the running which is a bit of a worry as Oscars Well would like a proper pace.