The Betway ambassador reflects on the weekend's racing after Finian's Oscar's success in the Tolworth...
It’s been a busy few days, but it was lovely to pick the family up from Birmingham airport on Sunday night all in one piece after their skiing trip.
Tizzard can be crowned champion trainer
Looking back at the weekend’s action and I have got to start with Finian’s Oscar who looked a really good horse in the Tolworth.
The Tizzard team have so many options with him now as he has the speed for two miles and has won a point-to-point over three.
They could run him in any of the three novice hurdles at the Festival, but have plenty of time to decide where they go.
Finian’s Oscar is just the latest star to emerge from a stable already jam-packed full of Grade One horses.
The reality is that if he can keep them all fit and well, Colin Tizzard has the firepower to be crowned champion trainer.
His string have been in great form since the first week of the season and if they remain in such rude health he will be hard to stop.
It’s all coming together for Garde La Victoire
I was delighted with Garde La Victoire at Sandown on Saturday, as he has been solid all season and deserved that win.
It was a really good performance to carry top weight on ground that certainly wouldn’t be ideal and he looks to be getting his act together.
He really seems to be improving now and it may well be that he has another run in a handicap somewhere before stepping back into graded company.
Strong Pursuit will be seen at his best over three miles on better ground
Strong Pursuit gave me a really nice feel at Hereford on Wednesday and is doing everything right at this stage.
He has now won his two novice hurdles and I’m looking forward to getting back on him on better ground over three miles.
Thrilled for Pete The Feat and the Longsdon team
I mentioned last week what a good initiative I thought these veteran races are and Saturday’s Sandown race lived up to the billing.
It was the most competitive race on the card and was full of well-known horses who still love the game.
Pete The Feat was the joint-oldest in the field but managed to win despite carrying his bus pass!
Well done Charlie Longsdon and the team at Hull Farm.
ITV have made a really bright start
When I got back on Saturday night I managed to watch back ITV’s coverage and I have to say I really enjoyed it.
Plenty of people are getting drawn into the debate over viewing figures, but all I can add is that I thought the broadcast was fresh, energetic and will be very good for racing.
The week ahead
There is apparently some cold weather on the way towards the end of the week, so fingers crossed that doesn’t cause too many problems.
I’m looking forward to riding The Nipper (1.30pm) at Lingfield on Tuesday for Warren Greatrex.
She fell on her hurdling debut at Wetherby on Boxing Day but felt well when I schooled her at the weekend so hopefully she can get back on track at Lingfield.
