The Betway ambassador reviews his hat-trick of victories at Ffos Las, and discusses this season's champion jockey...
Ffos Las Treble
Even though it was very wet at Ffos Las on Saturday, it was great to ride a treble.
They had produced lovely ground and the horses could get through it. It wasn’t hard work.
Defi De Seuil proved in the juvenile hurdle that he’s a nice type. You can’t take anything major out of the race from a form perspective, but he jumped and travelled well.
He’s got a nice attitude.
He showed in France that he goes on very soft ground and that he stays well. That will stand him in good stead for the winter, particularly if we have another wet one.
It was a great introduction for him and good to find out a bit more about him. Philip Hobbs will probably look for a slightly better race.
He ticks all the right boxes and softer ground should play to his strengths.
I’d say that Copper Kay jumped no better than adequately on her hurdling debut. In fairness, she was better when she was really racing up the home straight.
I’d hope that a better quality race will bring out some more improvement in her. She showed in her bumpers that she stays very well, so a step up in trip wouldn’t be an issue.
She’s a work in progress, but with a bit more practice you should see a more polished performance. It was good to get her back out.
I was delighted with Garde La Victoire, it was a very smart performance.
He definitely seems to have matured over the summer. He’s got better every season and I really like the way he did on Saturday.
Welsh Shadow was a decent novice last year so giving him 8lbs was never going to be easy.
Garde La Victoire will be well into the 150’s over hurdles now and the Haldon Gold Cup in a couple of weeks is the next target for him.
I know he fell at the two big spring festivals, be he actually jumped really well last season. He jumped the fourth last well in the JLT and just knuckled on landing. He then didn’t really feel himself at Aintree.
We’ll have more of an idea about where we’re going to go with him after Exeter where the stiff two miles should be perfect for him.
He’s definitely one of my big hopes for the campaign. It’s only his second season over fences and there should be plenty more to come.
Kempton on Sunday
Taper Tantrum was simply too keen in the novices’ hurdle. I’m not saying we would have beaten Paul Nicholls’ horses if he had settled but I wouldn’t be giving up hope on him.
The race just didn’t pan out well for him and hopefully in a stronger-run contest you should see him in a better light.
I was pleased with Lough Derg Leader. He seemed like a nice type and did everything bar win on the day. I’m sure there are plenty of races out there for him.
Jockeys’ Championship
I’ve heard a few suggestions that the jockey’s championship – on the flat and over jumps – should be based on prize money rather than winners, but I disagree with that.
The jockeys’ championship should be about winners, it’s a seasonal championship.
It’s not about riding the best horses, it’s about consistency over the season.
Ryan Moore has won a huge amount of prize money this flat season and he will now be off on his travels to ride in some of the world’s biggest races.
He’s a brilliant jockey, probably the best in the world, but Jim Crowley deserves to be champion jockey this year.
Finally some rain
Everyone in jump racing will have been delighted to see some rain over the past few days. It will be a huge help to the trainers as they try to get their horses out.
Brother Tedd looks likely to run at Fontwell on Wednesday after a decent debut over fences at Newton Abbott last time. Hopefully he can get off the mark.
It’s always a thrill to be back at Cheltenham, so I’m looking forward to Friday and Saturday. I’ll update you on my rides there later in the week.
