THERE’s a chill in the air, the nights are drawing in and the clocks are about to go back.
And for everyone involved in jumps racing that means one thing — the most exciting few months of the year are here.
Frost is expecting more big things from Greaneteen after winning the Tingle Creek last season
There might still be a few big Flat racing days to come but, from now, the spotlight will be very much shining on National Hunt.
Kempton, Chepstow, Cheltenham, Aintree, Sandown . . . so many big days ahead, hardly a moment to catch your breath and that’s exactly how we want it.
Plenty of thrills — and, hopefully, not too many spills along the way!
A time when big guns like Greaneteen, Frodon and all those gold medal athletes take centre stage again.
The anticipation, the hunger, the exhilaration of doing those speeds over obstacles.
For me that’s not something you can find in any other walk of life.
The other day I was sitting on Frode and Stage Star, two proper Grade 1 horses, thinking ‘this is a pretty cool morning at so-called work!’
You never get numb or complacent about something like that. And then there is Greaneteen, who gave me one of the greatest days of my career last season.
That was mega and I’ll say it again like me, his owners and the whole team did on the day “We just won the Tingle Creek!”
It’s an achievement that will never fade. Winning a race in the same category as the likes of the King George and the Gold Cup.
That afternoon at Sandown was phenomenal . . . the reception off the crowd was something in itself you’d never be able to replicate.
CROWDS HAVE MY BACK
I felt so lucky to have the strength of their support.
As well as the Tingle Creek, Greaneteen has won two Celebration Chases, but he’s certainly not reached his ceiling.
He’s a year older and wiser now, he’s stronger and there’s an engine in there which makes me think he will stay further.
He definitely merits serious respect.
Of course Frodon is obviously absorbing all my excitement, and he doesn’t need me to describe him. Just his name says it all now.
I love his enthusiasm, every season is like his first one, and it all revolves around him!
I am so privileged to be his partner, and it’s been great to be back on him again this season.
And I have to mention Bravemansgame, who I was lucky enough to sit on this week because Scott Marshall, who usually rides him, is off as he’s just had his second child.
Bravemansgame was a big horse last season, but he’s not just tall, his strength matches his height.
Every part of him is big and strong, I can’t wait to see him on the track.
Another to look out for is Monmiral, who’s had his setbacks but has fully recovered and grown in that time.
Everyone at Ditcheat is really excited to see him tackle a fence.
HERMES CATCHES THE EYE
Being able to ride the best of the best for Paul Nicholls, and performing at those levels, is just awesome.
But you get just as big a buzz riding the young horses who suddenly blossom into the superstar you’ve prayed they will become.
Ones like Hermes Allen, who is new to Ditcheat this season and gave me my first jumps winner since my injury, at Stratford last week.
It was his first race under rules and on British soil. He’s got a big future and is worth following.
Paul has first call on me and I go wherever he needs me, but I’m also in my third season as stable jockey for Lucy Wadham, and she’s got a strong yard of horses.
Martello Sky is an obvious one to look out for from Lucy’s, and we’ve all seen how good she is, with a couple of Listed wins already.
Scene One is a young horse with a bright future as well. He was third at Newbury in his only race so far and still very raw, but has the talent and scope to become someone.
This will be my sixth season at Ditcheat so I feel I’m becoming part of the furniture.
IN GOOD NIC
Coming back from injury and walking through the gates to the routine of morning work is a feeling I love and know so well.
Walking into the champion trainer’s yard every day . . . that’s not something I’ll ever take for granted.
Paul is the engine in a very well-oiled machine, and you couldn’t surround yourself with better people.
I arrived as a bumbling amateur from Devon who could ride a horse but was totally rough round the edges.
Paul looked after me as a young jockey and is still doing so now.
I can’t wait for the season to really kick into action . . . we just need some rain to ease this dry ground, because we’re all in limbo a bit until that comes.
So what do I want from this season? The same as any other, to put my horse in a position to win every time I race – then it’s down to them.
As ever, I want to ride winners . . . so here’s to another new jump season!
