Our man Sam Twiston-Davies talks about THAT Exeter incident, reflects on Ballyoptics win & his Saturday rides

THIS week Ive been called a hero, a legend and a saviour after an incident at Exeter on Tuesday went viral.

Youve probably seen it by now, but my horse and Tom Scudamores took a tumble and ended up in a bit of a jumble on the floor.

A few people put the clip up online of me untangling the horses and helping Scu up off the deck.

I couldnt believe the press, calls and messages I got afterwards!

I promise you that anyone would have done the same as me. Were all so close in the weighing room and its been made into something huge.

The horses come first and its gone a bit mad over something that to me just seems so normal!

Scu is one of my best mates and when he decked it in front of me, luckily I took an easier fall.

I saw he was in a bit of a tangle and managed to release the reins tied around the horses and pull Scu up from underneath.

Naturally I just tried the best I could to get everyone up and safe up out the way.

I dont feel I deserve any special pat on the back, I was just doing my job!

Toms said to a few people hell buy me a pint so on our next away day Ill be taking that offer up, but I dont deserve anymore than that!

And like Ive said we all have each others backs in here, it would be a dangerous place otherwise.

In more normal news it was a brilliant Saturday up at Wetherby last weekend winning the Charlie Hall on Ballyoptic for Dad.

For Nigel to win it for a record sixth time is special, but also just because its a race that means a lot to jumping fans.

Its a race that has stuck in my mind from being a wee nipper.

When Ollie Magern won it twice for dad back in the day, wed always be up there and owner Roger Nicholls would give us a bit of pocket money from the winnings.

Wed be in the car home counting all our coins and scoffing so many sweets!

Hopefully we can build on that win now. Ballyoptic has proved hes versatile and we have loads of options for the rest of the year.

I imagine well take in the Betfair Chase next and with Daryl Jacob obviously riding Bristol De Mai, itll be nice to have a spin on him in another big race.

Its not concrete yet but Ive never had a serious chance in it so going up there with a live one would be class.

This weekend my main ride is Riders Onthe Storm in the big handicap at Aintree.

Hes joined Nigel from Tom Taafe in Ireland and has had plenty of work at home in the build up to this.

This will definitely bring him on but he has some smart form to his name and is an exciting horse for the season ahead.

My best ride is probably Mossy Fen in the Novices Hurdle. He carries a penalty but won really well at Worcester and Im hopeful he can go and win again here.

Anything he does now is a bonus as hes a chaser in the making but is a very talented horse.