I was surprised yesterday when discovering that the BHA has decided to hold a somewhat belated inquiry into Aidan Coleman’s use of the whip when winning the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow aboard Emperor’s Choice.

McKinley, shock winner of a Grade One novice event at Naas on Sunday, has been given 11st 2lb in the BoyleSports Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 18.

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.

THERE were no less than 12 races and 168 runners at Saturday’s rescheduled Kildare Hunt point-to-point meeting at Punchestown racecourse and Jamie Codd had an afternoon to savour with a whopping five winners.