I had a nasty fall at Towcester on Thursday and unfortunately had to give up the rest of my rides.

I was feeling better on Friday despite being a bit bumped and bruised, but it could be a lot worse and I’m looking forward to a busy weekend.

Beer Goggles

It was incredible to win the Long Distance Hurdle on Friday with Beer Goggles. We were saying beforehand that 40/1 was a bit of an insult, but that’s not to say we thought he’d win.

He’s been in great form, he’s a real improver and ran a great race last time at Aintree off top weight.

To be honest, we thought it would be hard to beat Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry, but we kept it simple and he stayed and jumped really well.

I’d love to win the big one again

The Hennessy Gold Cup (now called the Ladbrokes Trophy) was a race I always wanted to win so it was wonderful to do it with Native River 12 months ago.

Of course, I’d absolutely love to win it again, but my ride Missed Approach  doesn't have quite as good a chance.

Having said that, if he could reproduce his form from the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival, when he finished second to Tiger Roll, he would definitely be in with a shout.

Warren’s [Greatrex] horses are in great form and the big field and strong pace will really suit him.

He ran no sort of race at Wetherby last time, but he’s disappointed round there before. It has to be a positive that he’s won at Newbury before, although that was over hurdles.

He wears blinkers for the first time tomorrow and they have definitely sharpened him up at home. He has an each-way chance in a wide-open race.

There are plenty of other horses to be worried about, but I suppose the one that sticks out is American.

He’s a second-season novice and has the right kind of profile for this race. His form is very solid and I was impressed when he beat me on Rock The Kasbah at Uttoxeter in the spring.

He’s won all three starts over fences and you normally need a horse that is still improving to win this.

The rest of Newbury

My first ride on a busy afternoon is Dame Rose  for Richard Hobson in the Listed mares’ novices’ hurdle (12.10pm).

She had some excellent form in bumpers last season, winning a big one at the Grand National meeting in April.

She was impressive on her debut over hurdles at Hexham back in October and there was no disgrace in finishing third to Cap Soleil here last month, especially as she was conceding 5lbs to her rivals.

Cap Soleil will be difficult to beat again, but we have an 8lbs swing in the weights which should bring us a little closer together.

Given Thistlecrack and Native River have won the last two runnings of the John Francome Novices’ Chase (12.45pm), it’s fair to say this year’s renewal doesn’t look quite as strong on paper.

I’m on Wait For Me  who has had a bit of a tricky start to life over fences.

He managed to win right on the line at Worcester in September and then had a heavy fall four out at Chepstow.

I’ve spoken about him a lot in this blog over the past couple of years. He’s a very talented horse, but hasn’t quite lived up to expectations just yet.

What I would say is that he’s schooled really well since Chepstow. Newbury’s a very fair track and it should bring out the best of him.

The one to beat is definitely Black Corton who has improved massively over the past few months.

If he was to win this, he’d be landing a six-timer and that’s very difficult to do. Bryony Frost has built up a really strong partnership with him and she’s had a fantastic few weeks.

It’s great to see her following in the footsteps of Lizzie Kelly, Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry. She’s a very good jockey.

I won what is now the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap (1.20pm) three years ago with Bertie Boru and it would be lovely to win it again.

Crosspark  gave me a really good feel on his reappearance here last month, but he made a mistake two out which cost us any chance of winning.

His third behind American and Rock The Kasbah at Uttoxeter is top-class form and hopefully he should have a decent chance here in what is a typically open Newbury handicap chase.

It was one of my moments of the season so far when Master Dancer  gave Tim Vaughan his first ever winner at Cheltenham in October.

He won by 10 lengths that day, so has taken a pretty big hike in the weights and this handicap hurdle (1.50pm) is a big step up in class for him.

He’s definitely improving, but he’s taking on top-class handicappers like Court Minstrel, Old Guard and Air Horse One, so it certainly isn’t going to be easy.

The race Court Minstrel won at Chepstow has worked out incredibly well. Nearly everything behind him that day has come out and won, so he will be a tough nut to crack.

Although there are only seven runners in the Gerry Feilden (2.25pm), it looks a very hot race and you honestly wouldn’t be surprised if any of them won it.

Poppy Kay  won impressively over course and distance last month. We’ve always thought a lot of her and she’s definitely on the upgrade.

I’d like to think she has a good chance of finishing in the frame, but it’s another step up the ladder for her.

Carlisle on Sunday

I’ve only got the one ride at Carlisle on Sunday, but it’s a good one so I’m hoping the course passes the inspection on Saturday morning.

Black Tulip goes in the mares’ final (12.50pm) and I do think she has a very strong chance.

She’s definitely improved for a summer on her back and she will have come on from her first run.