Abbey Lane can atone for falling on chasing debut

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.

People sometimes ask if I am still on good terms with Paul and the answer is an emphatic yes. I’d say I talk to him maybe a couple of times a month, we achieved a lot together and you don’t forget about that overnight.

It will be just my third ride for Paul since I decided to leave behind the constant grind of travelling over and back to England, and am very much looking forward to it.