A nice double at Newbury on Thursday

Strong Pursuit jumped and stayed really well on what was his first start over fences.

It’s nice to start the season like that and have him jump around Newbury the way he did.

He should be a nice staying novice chaser for the season and there’s a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year.

Tidal Flow was a pretty impressive winner of the bumper and looks to be another horse with a big future ahead of him.

Sarah Hobbs and I bred him, he was then bought as a three-year-old and they’ve been very patient with him since.

It was great to see Philip Hobbs round off a treble with Poppy Kay. She’s a really nice mare and it’s great to have the yard in such good form.

Aintree over Wincanton on Saturday

I go to Aintree over Wincanton, where Copper Kay  races, and it looks like I’ve got some good chances.

Philip's a much better judge than I am and he just felt that Aintree was the right place to go, with Louis Vac Pouch  the pick of my rides.

I start off with Spider’s Bite  (12.30pm), who’s a nice big, rangy horse. A galloping track like Aintree should suit him.

He’s schooled nicely and I think he’ll definitely improve on his form from last year.

He’s a stayer and will want the extra half mile, so hopefully he can keep on improving.

Louis’ Vac Pouch  was great last season, winning three hurdle races in total, and after a good run in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow I think we have a big chance in the Pertemps Qualifier (1.40pm) – he’s the whole reason we’re going to Aintree.

He’s a horse that would have a very big chance if he builds on that first run and looks our best chance of a winner this weekend.

The pace of the race at Chepstow wasn’t ideal as they went slow and then finished quick and I’m hoping the step up to three miles will suit.

Ut Majeur Aulmes  (3.25pm) ran pretty well last time out and this looks quite an open race, so fingers crossed we can be there or thereabouts.

He’s been very consistent over the last couple of seasons and hopefully he’ll be in the first three again.

I’m on Henry’s Joy  in the bumper (4.00pm).

Donald McCain has been in decent form and his horses always seem to do well at Aintree. Hopefully he’ll also run a good race.

As for Copper Kay  at Wincanton, she’ll have a big chance in the mares’ race (1.50pm).

I was pleased with her jumping over fences last time out and she’s only going back over hurdles as this is a valuable race and looks a nice option for her.

Deciding between her and Louis’ Vac Pouch was a tough decision and I think she’ll run a big race.

Sandown on Sunday

It’s great to be back at Sandown on Sunday where I’m keeping myself busy with four rides.

Casper King won a couple of novice hurdles last season and I kick off with him in the novices’ chase (1.20pm).

I schooled him on Wednesday and he jumped really nicely. This is his first start over fences and I’m hopeful he’ll put in a good round of jumping.

Most horses of Philip’s will only have one year hurdling before they go chasing.

Leapaway is then first time out in the maiden hurdle (1.50pm). He’s a nice young horse and hopefully he can put in a nice run and gain some experience.

He’s schooled very nicely at home and we’ll learn a lot about him on Sunday.

I’ve no ride in the Future Stars Chase (2.20pm), a race I won on Amore Alto last season.

Obviously on last year’s form Might Bite will be very hard to beat, but it will also be interesting to see if any of his quirks appear again.

Sword Of Fate (2.55pm) won a couple of novice hurdles at Worcester and now goes handicapping off a mark of 129.

It doesn’t look as though he’s beaten any superstars, but the main thing is he’s improved with every run.

Hopefully the handicapper is right and he should have a decent chance.

Pete The Feat (3.30pm) seems to really enjoy Sandown.

He had his day in the sun at when winning the veterans’ finale last year, and if he can reproduce that form then he’d obviously have a great chance.

Charlie Longsdon’s horses are in good form too.