I had a bit of a frustrating day on Thursday at Ludlow, as I had a nice book of rides but came away empty-handed.

Lygon Rock was touched off by a 100/1 shot, which was frustrating, but Melekhov in the bumper looks a nice type and he was just beaten by a horse with more experience.

To compound things, I also missed two winners for Warren Greatrex at Wincanton, but it’s great that his horses are running so well.

That’s the way it goes sometimes and I shouldn’t really be complaining after my four-timer last Saturday.

Haydock on Saturday

There is an inspection planned for 8am on Saturday morning to decide whether racing goes ahead at Haydock, and fingers crossed it does as we’ve missed plenty of racing recently due to the weather.

My first ride is Chozen for Tim Vaughan in the handicap hurdle (12.55pm).

He’s been very consistent so far this season and conditions will be as tough as it gets, so the fact he has form on soft ground is a big positive.

I’ve been lucky enough to pick up some nice rides for Evan Williams on Saturday, starting with Positively Dylan in the novices’ chase (1.30pm).

He handled conditions well at Wetherby last time, and if he can reproduce that sort of form he would have a great chance.

In the Champion Hurdle Trial (2.40pm) I ride Clyne, again for Evan.

He will love the ground and has put up a number of really good performances when the mud has been flying.

The New One is obviously going to be tough to beat, but with the very testing conditions and a small field, hopefully my ride won’t be far away.

In the big race of the day, the Peter Marsh Chase (3.15pm), I’m on Rock The Kasbah .

He was taken out of the Welsh National due to the extreme trip of 3m5f on heavy ground, which we thought would have been a bit of a struggle for him.

He does have form on soft ground, though, and, with Ptit Zig carrying top-weight, he gets a bit of relief which can only aid his chances in this sort of race.

We’re going into the slight unknown with the conditions he’ll face on Saturday, but he is still improving and he schooled brilliantly in the week.

If he copes with the heavy ground, I’d be very keen on his chances.

He has been given an entry in the Gold Cup and I’m sure he’ll get one in the Grand National too.

Hopefully he goes well on Saturday and then we can make a more concrete plan on his targets for the rest of the season.

I ride Tornado In Milan in the handicap chase (3.45pm).

Evan’s horses are in good form and they tend to go well on soft ground.

This horse is no different and hopefully he can improve on what he’s done so far this season.

My final ride of the day is Apollo Creed in the handicap hurdle (4.15pm).

He stepped up to three miles on heavy ground last time at Ffos Las and got the job done despite getting badly hampered, so he should have no problems with the very testing conditions.

The form of his runs behind Count Meribel and Tikkanbar from earlier in the season look pretty strong and he’s carrying just 10st 6lbs.

He looks to still be improving and hopefully he can end my day on a positive note.

La Bague Au Roi

If Haydock is abandoned, then we would hopefully be able to reroute to Ascot so I could ride La Bague Au Roi in the mares’ hurdle (1.50pm).

She’s the best mare in the race on ratings and looks to have a very strong chance after her win at Kempton.

The step up in trip really suited her and she felt fantastic when I schooled her last week.

Warren’s horses are in great nick and it will be great to get back on her if Haydock is called off.

Clarence House

It will be interesting to see how Brain Power gets on in the big race of the day, the Clarence House Chase.

Un De Sceaux is going for his third consecutive victory in the race and he will once again have his favoured conditions.

Brain Power is clearly very talented, but this will be just his third start over fences.

He’s up against a multiple Grade One winner and it would be a surprise if he was able to beat Willie Mullins’ runner.