Equus Maximus can go the distance in Irish National

A RIGHT bit of fun organising to get to Haydock for my solitary ride this afternoon. (My sister and agent) Jennifer was wondering why she was struggling to get me into Manchester until it dawned that there’s a pretty important Premier League game at Old Trafford at lunchtime (I’ll take the draw for United by the way, more than happy with a point).

Consequently I’m into Leeds-Bradford and home via Birmingham, neither within an ass’s roar of Haydock. The obvious conclusion for some would be that it must be a good thing if Paul Nicholls and myself are teaming up at such inconvenience for one race, but don’t read too much into it. Clearly that conventional wisdom has shaved a bit of value off Fistral Beach in the Betfred Daffodil Vase Handicap Chase (3.30). That said, I give it a right chance today despite unseating me last time out at the second fence. This time, he drops back to two and a half miles from three and while it won going right-handed at Kempton before (whereas Haydock is left-handed), it’s a flat track that will suit him - as will the heavy ground.

I’m after a right Good Friday soaking at the Curragh, where I schooled a couple of horses for dad and Willie - including Cousin Vinny who’ll probably go in the first on Bank Holiday Monday at Fairyhouse.