Unfortunately, the weather has got the better of us again and Monday’s racing at Hereford was abandoned.

It’s obviously frustrating to have two days so close together called off, after Wetherby on Friday, especially as I had some good rides to look forward to.

Let’s hope the weather improves for the rest of the week and we can get back into the swing of things.

Looking back on the weekend’s action

It was great news to see Philip Hobbs' horses back in form with three winners on Saturday. They obviously hadn’t been quite firing on all cylinders but hopefully they have turned the corner now.

We’ve had to stay patient but fingers crossed the form of the weekend can continue throughout the season.

Poppy Kay travelled really well in the mares’ hurdle at Sandown on Saturday and I was really pleased with her performance.

She’s going the right way and has improved for every run this season.

As to where she’d go next, the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury would definitely be an option. She’s won there in the past and hopefully the handicapper is kind with her.

I don’t think he can put her up too much after Saturday’s win.

Western Ryder didn't feel the same horse as he had previously. The ground was very sticky and he just found it really hard work.

Going down the back I was quite happy, but it was very soft up the home straight and he just didn’t fire.

He had beaten the winner conceding weight at Cheltenham, so it’s fair to say that he didn't show his true ability.

I think we can put a line through that run, and, on better ground, I think he’s still a very exciting novice for the rest of the season.

It was unfortunate that Fox Appeal fell in the veterans’ race because he was going nicely.

He seems fine and hopefully we’ll see him bounce back soon.

There has been a lot of talk about whether there should be a veterans’ chase at Cheltenham.

I think the thing organisers must be wary of is not lowering the competitiveness of any other races.

There are plenty of other races at the festival for that type of horse, as well as the Midlands Grand National straight after.

I think it’s one of the BHA’s best innovations in recent years. It’s given plenty of really good horses a new lease of life and it’s fantastic to see so many old-stagers staying in training.

Welsh Grand National

It was absolutely fantastic for James Bowen to ride the winner at Chepstow on Saturday on Raz De Maree.

It’s amazing to think he’s only 16-years-old. The first six months of his career have been incredible.

He rides very nicely and he doesn’t panic into doing something silly.

Like many other younger members of the weighing room, he has been brought up with pony racing and it definitely gives you a real insight into racing.

The likes of Sam Twiston-Davies and Felix De Giles have shown how beneficial it is, and it’s a fantastic initiative. 

The Bowens helped me get going when I was starting out and he’s had a great upbringing. His feet are well and truly on the ground and he ticks all the boxes.

I think you’d be brave to say he’s not going to have a fantastic career and he’s got all the attributes to be champion jockey one day.

It was fantastic to see two young jockeys aboard two old horses in the finish on Saturday and it shows the future of racing is in a very strong place.

I rode Alfie Spinner at Chepstow last month and thought he had a decent each-way chance. I was pretty confident he’d love the ground and he put up a fantastic performance to finish second.

I hope some of you managed to get some each-way money - backing a 33/1 winner must have been fun.

Looking further ahead this week

Gumball is entered in a few races this week and he is definitely one to look forward to.

Black Tulip has a couple of entries as well this week and she did it nicely last time at Warwick. She would be carrying a penalty but I’d be hopeful of a bold show wherever she goes.