Dear Santa,

I am so happy it’s Christmas again. I have my list made up for four weeks now.

To think that some people only have a one day Christmas instead of four! That’s just awful. Thank God we are more lucky.

Thank you for last year’s presents, they were really brilliant, I got such fun out of them. But one thing Santa, they were just a bit fragile. My Annie Power, Sprinter Sacre, Thistlecrack and Don Cossack are all broken, so I can’t play with them again. Can you make this year’s toys a bit more sturdy?

So Santa, I need a new champion hurdler but I’ve looked everywhere and don’t really like what’s on the shelves so maybe bring me a surprise. The Yanworth looks good but I’m not sure if it will still be in fashion next year.

I’m afraid the Douvan is very popular this year. Everyone wants one, I hope you have one for me. They say an Altior is a baby Douvan so can I have one of him too and I’ll put them side by side and see what happens.

For a Ryanair present I’d like the aeroplane to have pale blue and orange scarves to hide the blue and yellow. An Un De Seaux would be fun. They say you can’t get this present in maroon so that’s okay.

For my biggest prize, I need something gold to replace Don Cossack. The Djakadam’s been around for a few years and just might be a bit last year.

I was never mad on a Cue Card and people said it was going out of fashion, but now it might be taken off the market, I think I’d like one. It seems to take plenty of abuse and be built to last. If too many want a Cue Card, a Sizing John might be okay but I think he’ll still be in the shops again next year.

So Santa, I hope you can find me some of the presents that I want.

Could you also send Uncle Tom a nice big surprise, he wants one that no one else will know about, that he can back it just for himself. He says something from the 16/1 bag would be great.

And one more thing, I know everyone gets a present at this time of year but Santa, could you be fair and not forget about those who don’t have so much. Give them a few toys too. The boys who live in the big pink and maroon, and green and gold, houses, they’ve got loads already, they don’t even play with all the stuff they have.

Yours in hope, AM

AM