A week on from the Gold Cup, things have just about sunk in. It was obviously a very special day and it’s one I won’t be forgetting for a while.

If I could win any race over the season, the Gold Cup would be the one, so to win it again was amazing.

Native River has come out of the race really well and hopefully he can come back again next year.

Looking back on the week

It was great to get my first winner for Evan Williams with Tornado In Milan at Ludlow on Thursday.

I rode in point-to-points for Evan when I started riding so it was nice to ride a winner under rules for him.

Saturday at Newbury

I kick off my rides on Saturday with Thomas Patrick  for Tom Lacey in the handicap chase (2.05pm), who steps back in trip after his run at Exeter last time.

He’s still a relatively young horse, so perhaps that's why he didn’t quite see out the distance that day.

Newbury should suit him and he’s shown enough form so far this season to suggest he’s got a solid chance.

My next ride is Ulysses  in the 2m3f handicap hurdle (2.40pm).

He steps back into a handicap after running in a Grade Two at Cheltenham behind Apple’s Shakira last time.

It looks a fairly open race, so I’d be hoping he goes there with a pretty decent chance.

In the mares’ final (3.15pm) I’m on Petticoat Tails  for Warren Greatrex.

She’s won her last two having been very good in bumpers last season.

The big field will suit her, and I’d hope she can run very well in what looks a competitive contest.

I think it’s great that the mares have got a much busier programme, it gives them plenty of races to go for.

With more races it means there are more options for the likes of Laurina which can only be good for racing.

A busier programme also means these top-class mares will stay in training for longer, which is what we all want to see.

Kayf Adventure runs in the 2m4f handicap chase (3.50pm).

I’d be hoping for some rain as I’d be slightly concerned that the trip might be on the sharp side for him.

He ran a good race in the Close Brothers at Cheltenham. We just didn’t get a very good start and were always playing catch-up.

Any rain would be a major plus and would definitely boost his chances.

I’m then on Article Fifty for Warren in the novices’ hurdle (4.25pm).

He’s coming off a run on the all-weather and I think it might be next season before we really see the best of him.

There are couple in here that look pretty smart, but Article Fifty is a nice horse who is definitely one to keep an eye on.

My final ride of the day is Imperial Presence in the 2m½f handicap chase (5.35pm).

He’s been off the track for a while but he does have some good form from last year including winning this race.

His record fresh is good. I’d like to think he’s got pretty solid claims.

Carlisle on Sunday

I start my rides on Sunday with Pc Dixon for Victor Thompson in the handicap hurdle (2.15pm).

He won last time at Hexham so he’s in good form. The soft ground shouldn’t be a problem and he looks to have a decent chance.

My next ride is on the mare Pearl Of The West in the 2m1f novices’ chase (2.50pm).

She obviously gets all the weight allowances which means I won’t be having much dinner on Saturday night!

She’s got some decent form on the Flat and is entitled to come on from her run at Ludlow last month.

I’m on Apache Jack in the handicap hurdle (3.25pm).

The Crawfords are very shrewd so the fact he’s coming over from Ireland means he must be respected.

If he can reproduce the sort of form he’s been showing over there, then he’d have a decent chance.

Kerry Lee’s Grey Gold is my ride in the handicap chase (4.00pm).

He’s been a bit hit-and-miss so far this season, including when he unfortunately got rid of me at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

The stiff track at Carlisle should suit him well, though. He’s another who would have a great chance on his best form.

My final ride of the weekend is Minella Mystics in the bumper (5.45pm).

He shaped well on his point debut in Ireland. John McConnell wouldn’t be bringing him over just for the sake of it, so I’d be hopeful of a good performance.