Triumph Hurdle

Looking back on the Friday at Cheltenham, it was great to win the Triumph Hurdle on Defi Du Seuil.

The manner in which he won was very impressive. It was a pleasure to ride him and it’s obviously unfortunate that Barry Geraghty couldn’t. I’m sure after watching the Triumph he’ll be looking forward to getting back on him.

The ground was a bit of an unknown, as he hadn’t gone on a surface that good before, but he travelled and jumped really well. He’s definitely the best juvenile we’ve seen this year.

I don’t know whether he’ll remain over hurdles or go chasing. But I’m sure he’ll run somewhere else this season, whether that be Aintree or Punchestown.

Wherever he goes he’s going to be very hard to beat, especially in his own company.

Gold Cup

Native River ran a really solid race in the Gold Cup.

Testing conditions would probably have played to his strengths a bit more, but at the same time he’s still run a really good race.

He’s proved that he can run at the very top level, is only seven and has lots more good days to come.

Whether we go to Aintree or Punchestown now I don’t know, but I’m sure he’s going to race somewhere else before the end of the season.

As for Sizing John; he jumped, travelled and stayed really well. I thought he was an impressive winner, especially as it was only the second time he’s run over three miles or more.

If Thistlecrack had have been there I’m sure he would have been competitive. He’ll be on the comeback trail next year and is arguably still the one we’ve all got to beat next season.

As for Cheltenham in general, obviously it was a good week for the Irish. Put simply, they’ve got the better horses!

Uttoxeter on Saturday

It was great to go and get three winners on the board at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

For Atirelarigo it was important to get his confidence back up with a win over hurdles. He won a chase at Chepstow at the start of the season before falling on his next two starts, so it was good to get him back to winning way.

I also had two seconds that are worth noting. Rock The Kasbah did really well to finish second to a very decent horse in the shape of American. I’d like to think we’ve got some good days ahead of us with him.

Victarion ran another nice race to finish second. The first two pulled a long way clear of the rest and I think we can go and win a bumper before novice hurdling next season.