The National Hunt jockey and Betway ambassador also pays tribute to Alan Lee, the acclaimed racing correspondent who died on Saturday
I’m now off for a few days with Bangor on Tuesday being abandoned so I’ll be spending some quality time with the family.
I’m not sure about my movements on Boxing Day yet, but will be updating my blog on Wednesday.
My rides last weekend
Sternrubin ran an absolute blinder on Saturday.
He was slightly more lit up than at Newbury first time out, but he’s a four-year-old who’s really progressing.
I’m not saying he’s improved as much as Old Guard, but when you have a young horse like this that’s improving you dream that they can carry on.
He’s a novice so it gives Philip [Hobbs] plenty of options.
I don’t know where he’ll go next but the obvious race would be the Hurdle at Newbury in February.
It was difficult to know who had won when we crossed the line. I felt that my lad’s head was down.
Half a furlong from home I thought I was going to be beat a length, but I think Jolly’s Cracked It may have idled a little. That does happen quite often at Ascot, there’s a lot for the horses to look at.
Sternrubin showed a great attitude to fight back, there wouldn’t be many that would be able to do that after front-running like he did.
The dead-head was the fairest result in the end. It was a great day’s racing and a fitting way to finish the day.
You couldn’t have been happier with Reve De Sivola in the Long Walk – he’s a fantastic horse.
Thistlecrack has improved a fair bit since Newbury. When he got to me two out I thought I was going to be able to go with him, but he was gone and put the race to bed in a couple of strides.
It was a very impressive display and a World Hurdle-type performance.
He’s a Kayf Tara and seems to have really come to himself this season. He travels and stays which is exactly what you need in a World Hurdle.
He’s certainly the best of the English at the moment. Cole Harden would have to improve quite a bit in March to beat him.
Fingal Bay ran a good race again. I thought I was going to win after the second last, but he idled a bit coming to the last.
The Hennessy was a pretty gruelling race and that may have taken out of him slightly more than we thought. He still ran well and I think the Hennessy form is pretty solid. It’s good to see the right horses finishing in the right places.
I’m sure Fingal will get his head in front, there are plenty of these big handicaps to go for.
We’ve always liked Royal Regatta, although he’s been a bit frustrating. We tried a couple of new things. I suggested a tongue strap to Philip and he also thought blinkers might help him.
We’re not sure which one, or both, worked, but it was nice to see him back to his best. He’s a half-brother to Three Musketeers and hopefully he can progress from this.
Smad Place
The King George is shaping up to be an absolute cracker and it’s great that Smad Place is now heading to Kempton.
He was impressive there on his seasonal reappearance and obviously again in the Hennessy.
It might just be that he’s slightly better on a flat track these days and Alan King would never run him unless he felt it was the right race for him.
Horses are funny creatures. Sometimes you have a plan, but if they’re in good form you should let them take their chance. He can always have a break after Kempton and then come back for the Gold Cup in March.
Alan Lee
I was really sad to hear about Alan Lee. He’s been a great friend for a number of years and he was a wonderful journalist.
It’s a big shock for the racing community, he was a fit and healthy man.
We get rung up to do articles all the time, but you felt almost honoured when Alan phoned you to speak to you. You could always trust that what he put in print was accurate and he just had a fantastic way with words.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
READ: Richard Johnson: I wouldn’t swap Fingal Bay for anything
