I HAD the winning feeling without being anywhere near a horse – I found petrol for £1.75 a litre.
Believe me that makes a big difference when you’re on the road as much as we are.
Bryony Frost has a couple of strong chances at Ayr on Saturday
Jockeys have probably been hit by the cost of fuel harder than most.
You soon learn where the nearest supermarket is, and steer clear of services.
When you’re filling up virtually every day, that sort of thing is important!
Take this weekend, when I’m at Ayr, a journey of well over eight hours either way.
There’s the price of the petrol and, if you’re here for two days, like I am, the cost of a hotel as well.
I’m one of the lucky ones too, I’ve got Bob to drive me.
But you need to win some prize-money or you can end up out of pocket — fingers crossed!
Hopefully both my rides today have got a squeak, which will make the journey that bit easier to take.
They’re both for Paul Nicholls, starting with Il Ridoto (3.00), who ran in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last time.
He was in front of me when we were heading out this week, spooking at the daffodils, and seems to have come out of Cheltenham well.
Hopefully there is still some petrol left in his tank to give it a good go and it’s a bit easier than when he was up against Edwardstone.
Then I’m on Getaway Trump (4.10), who will be a lot happier over hurdles than he has been chasing.
I’ve got a bit of a debt to settle with him after our last meeting at Ludlow and he is on a workable mark.
He had no luck chasing over the last couple of years but his hurdle form is red-hot.
Getaway finds it quite hard to jump a fence and doesn’t enjoy it as much, but hurdling doesn’t take as much scope.
He’ll be much more in his comfort zone and with a bit of luck I’ll be able to afford to fill the petrol tank again next week!
BRYONY FROST is an ambassador for Betfair. Go to betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/
