I’m bursting to get back out there, but...
I had pencilled in Taunton on Thursday, but that ridiculous whip ban incurred by Jason Maguire at Doncaster last Wednesday hasn’t half set me thinking.
If I got done for the whip at Taunton it might mean missing two days at Cheltenham. Now the one thing which has kept me going over the last few months is the thought of being back in time for the greatest festival of racing on this planet.
The notion that some of it could be taken away simply does not bear thinking about. You cannot protect yourself from injury, but you certainly can limit the possibility of being banned.
And that’s my problem. Of course, I’m bursting to get back out there again, but would waiting for Newbury next Saturday be the wisest course of action? Let’s just say I will be considering my options over the next day or two.
I will be riding work for Willie Mullins after racing at Leopardstown tomorrow. I’m sure At The Races will be covering that, they usually do, so you might fancy watching.
On Monday and Tuesday I will be at Paul Nicholls’ and sitting on literally everything heading to Cheltenham, the likes of Kauto Star, Big Buck’s, Poquelin and Sam Winner.
Paul has plenty of runners at Kempton today, headed by Fistral Beach in the Racing Post Chase. He went off favourite for the race a year ago, off 10-0, but he and I said goodbye to each other at the second.
Fistral Beach won really well on his reappearance at Wincanton, but went up 9lbs and it is just a question of whether that is enough to stop him.
One thing in his favour is the fact he’s had a wind operation, because the eight-year-old often didn’t see out his races.
Paul runs Free World too, but I wouldn’t be enthusiastic about him. He’s been disappointing and will struggle to get three miles.
Paul also runs two in the juvenile hurdle, a pair of ex-French horses in Tonic Mellysee and Zarkandar. The latter won on the flat, but this is his debut over jumps and will surely be the better for the experience.
Tonic Mellysee has won over flights in France and, with Tony McCoy booked, I’d imagine he is Paul’s number one challenger.
American Trilogy has a life in the Grade 2 novice chase. There may be only four runners, but this has the makings of a smart contest.
I rode him to win the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and he was bang on the money that afternoon, winning by 11 lengths.
American Trilogy made an excellent debut over fences at Kempton, but it would be wrong to get too carried away because that was a weak race.
Captain Chris, on his second to Medermit at Sandown, is the one to beat, although he does have a worrying tendency to finish second.
Paul has two more possibilities in the Grade 2 novice hurdle, Toubab and Empire Levant. Toubab got bogged down in the heavy ground behind Minella Class at Sandown and too much shouldn’t be read into that defeat.
He is a horse who is all about speed and will relish the likely faster surface and the flat track. I prefer him to Empire Levant, who is a quick horse as well, but can be a bit keen.
Mr Hudson has 11-7 in a handicap hurdle, but just mightn’t be badly handicapped. He’s a solid stayer and I just hope two miles and five round here will prove far enough for him.
Willie Mullins has enjoyed a terrific season, but has only two runners at Navan today, starting with C’est Ca in the first, a beginners chase.
He has a good engine, but getting it out of him this campaign has not been easy and he performed poorly at Limerick last time.
C’est Ca continues to work well at home, but for some reason has not been bringing that to the track. This is a bad race and a good opportunity.
Willie’s other runner, Morning Supreme, is up against it with For Bill in a mares’ chase. For Bill won nicely at Thurles and Morning Supreme was beaten when falling two out.
Willie also has a weak enough hand at Leopardstown tomorrow. Glenlo Abbey looks his best chance in the maiden hurdle.
He’s been struggling, but I rode him work during the week and he flew. Perhaps, a little each-way mightn’t go too far astray!
