Five rides, and probably not the strongest-looking book I’ve had, but that’s the nature of racing in the countdown to the Cheltenham.

The Last Samuri will complete his preparations for the Crabbie’s Grand National in Saturday’s BetBright Grimthorpe Chase Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

Punchestown is one of the most important weeks of the year and just like Cheltenham, it starts for me with Douvan (4.20). He seems in really good form and is coming off a brilliant performance in winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

There’s a real hint of the Christmas blues about Irish racing this weekend, with small fields essentially the order of the day at both Cork this afternoon and Naas tomorrow.