Late scare, but the Cheltenham dream lives on
The horse’s jumping was a trifle indifferent and he got outpaced going away from the stands.
But I had him in full flow heading to the last and thought I might even win. He had other ideas, however, met the obstacle all wrong and sent me spinning to the turf.
I went in under the following-on Boro Bee and brought that horse down on my own. Essentially, I was squashed and quickly felt very sore.
My goggles filled up with blood, but I knew immediately nothing was broken and that the Cheltenham dream lived on.
I haven’t ridden a winner since returning yesterday week and, I suppose, people are questioning whether my confidence might be low.
Nothing could be further from the truth and I have no interest at all in the mental psychology of sport.
I believe it’s for the mentally weak and the likes of Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll or Ronan O’Gara do not need any help in that department.
I think if you are level, steady and consistent then you do not need any assistance with your confidence.
I dislocated my shoulder in 2007 at the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham and was off for seven weeks.
I came back at Thurles, had two rides and didn’t win on either. Then I went to Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, was beaten on my first ride and won the King George on Kauto Star.
Two years prior to that I dislocated my shoulder at Navan. On only my second ride back I partnered Fethard Lady to land the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Sandown.
The point I am trying to make is that having a winner, before a major meeting such as Cheltenham, is not an issue for me.
I head to Sandown today to ride three horses for Paul Nicholls, so maybe I’ll get lucky. I start on The Reformer in the final of a novices’ handicap hurdle series.
He won at Exeter and then finished third at Kempton. Paul is happy with the horse and thinks he has a big chance.
The Reformer has a nice weight, 10-12, and let’s just say that this has been his target for a while.
Mon Parrain is probably best described as a dark horse in a handicap chase. He is handicapped on his French form and whether thrown in, or completely overburdened, who knows!
What I can tell you for sure is that they like him in the Nicholls yard and he has schooled really nicely.
I end on Tito Bustillo in a handicap hurdle, a horse I haven’t sat on since the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last year.
He was badly hampered two out that day, otherwise might have been placed behind Thousand Stars. He was disappointing when only third at Taunton and his recent form has been uninspiring.
He wouldn’t want any rain, because he loves good ground. I’m hoping he will at least be placed and anything else would be a bonus.
I will be coming home tonight and then heading to Navan tomorrow for just one ride, Rattan in a maiden hurdle. Such are the joys of this great game.
Truth to tell, he has been disappointing. Rattan worked well during the week, but the lads in Willie Mullins’ tell me he always works well and then doesn’t bring it to the track.
Willie has a stronger hand at Limerick and Dare To Doubt, who was impressive at Naas, will take beating in the Listed race for mares.
Willie can win the bumper with Lovethehigherlaw. We’ve always liked him at home, he’s a gorgeous horse, with a smashing pedigree.
Quaquo de Flotte is worth a second glance in a maiden hurdle. I know he performed poorly in a bumper at Gowran Park, but is definitely a lot better than that.
Michael Winters’ grand mare For Bill will take some whacking in the Grade 3 chase.
