I can confirm that, after his run at Cheltenham on the weekend, we have decided to retire Sire De Grugy.

He disappointed me at Ascot two starts back and then when I saw him fail to get up the hill again at Cheltenham on Saturday, I knew the time was right to call it a day.

The toughest horse I have ever trained

It brings the curtain down on a sparkling racing career that has seen him win 17 races for us – not many horses do that!

He is without doubt the toughest horse I have ever trained, and one of the best I’ve ever had.

Obviously, his win in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham has to be the highlight and that is a day that none of us will ever forget.

He’s been with us since he was a three-year-old and is now approaching the age of 12, and during that time he has danced every dance.

I’m thrilled that he will be spending his retirement here with us under Jamie’s care.

He’s very much part of the furniture and it’s lovely that he’ll still be around keeping a close eye on us all.

He truly deserves a long and happy retirement as he is a very special horse.

Delighted with Ar Mad’s Tingle Creek run

I was delighted with Ar Mad’s third to Politologue in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier in the month.

He did well to finish so close considering he didn’t jump that well and we will be looking to brush up in that department ahead of his next run.

In terms of where we head next, he could head to Ascot for the Clarence House in January, or there is also a race over 2½ miles at Kempton.

Looking further ahead, if we stick to two miles then the Betway Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival would be an obvious target.

If we decide to step him up in distance, we can always head down the Ryanair Chase route.

I’ll keep you posted on our plans as soon as they are firmed up.

Traffic Fluide could head straight to the King George

I haven’t fully finalised my plans for Traffic Fluide yet either.

He’s in the valuable Silver Cup at Ascot on Saturday and that could be a nice option with the weather like it is.

However, I still have one eye on the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, and haven’t totally ruled out keeping him back for that.