The Betway ambassador previews his Saturday in Wales, with Garde La Victoire his best chance of victory...
My 14-day suspension for the Clonmel incident began on Thursday and that means I won’t be riding here in Ireland until after the 16th November.
However, I am allowed to ride in Britain on days when there is no jump racing in Ireland so I’ll be over at Ffos Las on Saturday.
Riding at Ffos Las for Dai Walters
I have known Dai Walters for a long time and was honoured to be asked to ride his horses when in England.
When you invest the money in the game that Dai has, you end up with some lovely horses and I’m just privileged to be able to ride them when I can.
It just so happens that I’m over this weekend and I’m set to ride two of Dai’s for trainer Dan Skelton.
I kick-off aboard Welsh Shadow, who will be one of the favourites for the Walters Group Welsh Champion Hurdle (4.10pm).
He rounded off last season with a nice win at Ayr, having previously finished fifth behind Yorkhill in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival.
That’s rock-solid form and he must have a decent chance in what does looks a very competitive race.
I suppose he could do with a drop of rain overnight as I’m not sure he would want it to get too quick.
There may only be seven runners, but you have to respect the likes of Garde La Victoire, who reverts back to hurdles after a couple of spills over fences on his last two starts.
Don’t forget, the last time we saw him over the smaller obstacles he won the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown.
Then I’m looking forward to riding Sierra Oscar in the bumper (5.20pm) that ends the card.
He hasn’t been seen since making a promising debut when third at Market Rasen back in April.
The break over the summer has surely strengthened him up and he can go well.
Again, as with Welsh Shadow, I hope that the ground isn’t too lively for him.
Diamond King makes pleasing debut over fences
Looking back at events earlier in the week, I was delighted with Diamond King’s debut over the bigger fences at Galway on Tuesday.
I asked him to quicken away at the end and I was delighted with his response.
It is a bit too early to get too carried away as he will meet better horses as he steps up through the grades.
We aren’t even out of October yet and people are talking about Cheltenham Festival races.
There is plenty of time between now and then, but a race like the JLT does look the obvious target for him.
Cork on Sunday
I obviously won’t be at Cork on Sunday but will give you a couple to look out for.
Firstly, Blood Crazed Tiger will take plenty of beating in the novice hurdle (2.20pm).
He made an impressive debut over hurdles earlier this month and should take this in his stride.
There is a real decent handicap chase (3.25pm) later on in the afternoon with the likes of The Game Changer and Rock The World at the head of the weights.
I like the look of Tell Us More who makes his debut for Gordon Elliott.
He may just be on a fair mark and can be competitive in a race like this.
