Weve finally moved in!
After plenty of scraping and sliding, Nicola Currie and I have managed to bash our way into our new digs.
Its been a busy week as Ive spent most of my time unpacking boxes and removing polystyrene – a jockeys life is a thrill a minute!
Now were just waiting on a sofa, so there wont be any lounging around just yet.
In fairness, thats probably a good thing as it means I cant stay at home and slob in front of the World Cup Final.
Ill be up north watching it near Wetherby.
Im riding there on Friday and Saturday, and its odds-on therell be a few rugby league fans giving their two cents about how union is a poor replacement.
Not for me, though – I love it.
Hopefully England can bring it home in style on Saturday.
Their performance against the All-Blacks was outrageous and I reckon if they go there with the same intensity, its their trophy to lose.
With the rugby and racing flanking the Saturday action, its a massive weekend of sport – and although the Breeders Cup is taking place Stateside, its all about Charlie Hall day for me.
The folks up north have done a grand job to offer up some nice prize-money and hopefully Ballyoptic (3.40) can run a big race in the feature.
He hasnt got to carry the penalties some of the others have and won really well first time up.
That may give him a fitness edge and Im expecting a big run, for all that its a really competitive race.
I imagine well try and sit off the early pace and come late.
With any luck it will be a Bally old day for me and Nige, as I also partner Ballyandy (3.05) on the same card.
He goes in the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle and it will be fascinating to see how he gets on stepped up to three miles.
It might take some getting in the conditions but if he stays then he has a good shout.
Keep an eye on Zambella, too.
She won her first two starts in France and has some nice form in the book, so should go close in the Listed race at 1.55.
If she settles (shes been quite keen at home) then I can see her running very well.
Whatever happens, as long as there isnt as much rain as there was at Cheltenham last week, Ill be happy.
I cant remember the last time there was so much water on a racecourse and we were slopping through puddles throughout the day.
Kudos to the officials for getting it on, and in the end it was just about raceable!
I was out of luck there, but rode a nice winner at Taunton on Wednesday in Scardura.
He drew clear for an impressive 16-length romp and is one for the notebook, even if it wasnt the strongest race in the world.
