It’s quite hard to put into words how I’ve been feeling over the past few days, but it’s been nice to have a couple of days off to let it sink in. I’ve watched the replay back quite a few times.

As I said before, I really fancied Native River for the Gold Cup ever since his run at Newbury. I was really pleased with him that day, but it’s the Gold Cup, so you have to be realistic. It’s a very hard race to win.

In the race itself I never had a moment’s worry. He jumped brilliantly and didn’t make a mistake. He was very brave when he needed to be four out.

I wouldn’t say I was confident we were going to beat Might Bite when he came upsides us, but I knew it was going to take a good one to get by Native River.

He’s got an incredible CV for an eight-year-old. He’s done amazingly well and I don’t see any reason why he won’t be as good next year. He isn’t a horse that needs soft ground. He handles it and is just a very strong stayer.

All roads will hopefully lead to the Gold Cup again. I’m not sure where he’ll go first next season, but Cheltenham will be the main target. Hopefully he’ll have a good summer. I can’t wait to ride him again.

It’s difficult to describe the feeling coming up that hill. You’re delighted but a bit in shock at the same time. Eighteen years is a long time to wait and there really is nothing like it.

All the texts, social media messages and people coming up to you congratulating you and wishing you well - it takes your breath away.

I went for some drinks with the owners, Garth and Anne Broom, and Colin and Joe Tizzard in Cheltenham afterwards.

Well, I was driving so it was orange juice for me, but we did manage to stop at McDonald’s on the way home for a treat.

I rode at Kempton on Saturday, which was all a bit of a blur, but then the snow came again so I’ve had a couple of days off.

My boys took my Gold Cup trophy into school today to show to their friends.

Rest of the week

It’s lucky we won the Gold Cup because it hadn’t been a good week up to that point.

Western Ryder ran well in the Supreme Novices’. He was unlucky when he got a bump at the second last, but he still finished sixth and will probably go to Aintree for the 2 ½ mile Grade One novice hurdle.

He wouldn’t have won, but it might have cost us a place. The conditions at Aintree will hopefully be perfect for him.

La Bague Au Roi travelled really well, but she struggled up the hill slightly. Warren Greatrex is going to have her wind checked out and you’ll see a better mare on better ground. She might to go Punchestown next.

Star performances

Both Laurina and Samcro were well hyped up beforehand, but they fulfilled the hype and were very impressive.

They are two very exciting horses for the future and I’m sure you’ll see them at Cheltenham for many years to come.

Altior is an amazing horse. I don’t think he loved the ground in the Betway Champion Chase, but he still managed to win the race.

The further he went up the hill the further he went away. It’s hard to see anything beating him.

Bad luck for Ruby

It didn’t seem like Ruby Walsh had been away when he came back and rode two winners on the Tuesday.

To then have a fall and injure your leg again is very frustrating. He put in a huge amount of work to get back for Cheltenham. Hopefully it’s not too serious and I wish him a speedy recovery.

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins

It was nice for the British to get a bit of respect back on Friday, but Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins are getting bigger, better and stronger. They’re very hard to keep up with.

Their horses are in brilliant form and you’d be a brave man to say they’re not improving. Let’s just hope they stay in Punchestown rather than coming over to Aintree!

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