It’s been a slightly frustrating week with plenty of near-misses and a handful of victories.

I’m closing in on 100 winners for the season and it would be great to reach that landmark over the next few days.

It’s always the first goal to get to, so hopefully it will happen fairly soon.

Saturday – Cheltenham

My first ride on Saturday at Cheltenham comes in the opening Triumph Hurdle trial (12.40pm) on Gumball . Fingers crossed he takes a big step towards March.

He’s done absolutely nothing wrong so far this season, winning both his starts, and you couldn’t help but be impressed with those two wins.

I’m not saying that he’s going to be as good as Defi Du Seuil, but he’s got a nice profile and certainly on his Chepstow run he has a great chance.

Nicky Henderson’s Apple’s Shakira is probably the main danger. We don’t know much about him but I’m sure Mr McManus has found another nice one.

The form of Apparition for Joseph O’Brien doesn’t stand out, but you’ve got to respect anything he’s going to bring over, too.

It’s a good prize with some nice horses but I certainly wouldn’t swap Gumball.

I’m then on Ballyoptic  in the novices’ chase (1.15pm). He was good on his first start over fences when winning at Exeter and it’s nice to pick up the ride.

Obviously it’s a shame that Sam Twiston-Davies picked up that injury last weekend and I wish him a speedy recovery.

I rode Ballyoptic over hurdles at Aintree back in the spring. He was a very good hurdler so hopefully he can continue to translate that to the bigger obstacles.

It’s only a three-runner race but they are all classy horses. Black Corton is the one with all the experience and could play a big part.

In the 3m3f handicap chase (1.50pm) I ride Three Faces West . The small negative would be that he hasn’t run for quite a while, but he’s in very good form at home.

He’s uncomplicated, had two good wins last year, and gets in off a good weight thanks to Minella Rocco.

Philip Hobbs' horses are obviously in great form at the moment so we’re hoping for a big run.

I’m sure he’s an out-and-out stayer so I’m not too concerned about the trip.

He’s won over three miles numerous times and is a bold front-runner that should enjoy the extra distance.

Rolling Maul  (3.00pm) is a bit of a character but has plenty of ability. If he's in the mood, he will have a great chance.

Peter Bowen’s horses are in good form, and he’s won around here before, so he should run another big race.

Dell’ Arca is interesting after bouncing back to form.

I’m on The Mighty Don  for Nick Gifford in the Class 3 hurdle (3.30pm). It looks a fiercely competitive race with 17 runners.

He’s got some decent form from last season and should come on from his return around here last month.

Pineapple Rush  (4.00pm) has been doing everything nicely at home.

She’s got a lovely pedigree. Philip trained the dam, Celtic Native, who was a very good mare.

She’s got all the right credentials it just depends whether she can go out and do it on the track.

After this we’ll decide whether she stays in bumpers or goes hurdling straight away.

Sunday – Cheltenham

Just the three rides on the Sunday, starting with Ozzie The Oscar in the Arkle Trial (1.50pm).

He really enjoyed himself over fences at Warwick and won nicely in the end. The way that he jumped and went about his job was very pleasing.

There’s only the four runners in this but it’s still a very competitive novice chase.

Again, it’s a shame Sam can’t ride The New One in the Greatwood (3.00pm), but I’m delighted to be on him again.

He’s got the best form in the race and he’s beaten the best horse in the race.

It’s going to be very hard to win off top-weight, but he’ll outrun his odds of 16/1 and I wouldn’t put anybody off backing him.

He’s got a very decent chance in a competitive race.

In the bumper (4.00pm) I’m on Crooks Peak.

He won a bumper at Newton Abbot very nicely. It was a good performance and we’ll just have to see how that form adds up.

I wouldn’t put anybody off him either.