It’s nice to be finishing the season with a flourish. I’m pleased to report that Philip Hobbs’s stable is back in good form. Mainly thanks to him I was able to ride five consecutive winners, spread over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. One at Wincanton, two the next day at Hexham and one at Sedgefield on the way home that evening, then Gumball at Ludlow.
The better weather last week and better going has helped. Philip has quite a few that need decent ground.
I nearly had another winner at Ludlow on Goodtoknow for Kerry Lee. We were first past the post but gave the runner-up a bump close home. We were only a short head in front and the stewards decided that that interference was enough to affect the result. That was frustrating.
I’m at Warwick tomorrow but plans are still fluid for Friday, though it would be nice to round off a good season for me at Chepstow if I can get some rides at this, their last jumps meeting until the autumn.
Everything this last fortnight has been building up to Sandown this weekend and I’m greatly looking forward to it. Winning the jockeys championship means a lot to me and I am very happy to be collecting the trophy for the third time. Especially having won a Gold Cup on the way! Saturday should be a great day and it will be lovely to have the family with me to share it all.
I’m very hopeful that Rock The Kasbah will run a big race in the bet365 Gold Cup. We know from all his Chepstow performances he is a good jumper. The ground should be all right for him if there is not too much rain and this could be the big prize we’ve thought we could win with him for some time.
