GETTING out of bed this morning, I definitely would not have looked out of place on the set of 28 Days Later - a zombie film that totally freaked me out, not to the same degree, however, as my own reflection did this AM.

Arriving in Dublin at midnight on Wednesday after a two-day conference in Barcelona, I had an early start to ride three lots in Jessica Harrington’s before heading to the Curragh to partner my darling champion, Hurricane Ridge, up the Old Vic.

Fitting training into the busiest time of year at work has been a balancing act and I’m trying to contain the wobble, with the demands for both growing exponentially from here on in.

On the bright side, there’s “good busy” and “bad busy” and this is definitely good busy. Preparations are well underway for our annual Cheltenham preview in the Woodlands Hotel on February 26th. It’s one of my favourite nights, in fact days of the year, as we also take the panel and some friends for a round of golf beforehand. Last year my team included Paul Nolan and Tony Martin which definitely made for some, well, let’s say “colourful” conversations and side splitting laughs. It takes a lot of organising though and I must remind myself on the day to steal away the wonderful John Francome to bend his ear for some race riding tips.

TRAINING

I picked up plenty last week on my trip to the British Racing School in Newmarket where I was put through my paces by senior jockey coach Richard Perham in a fitness morning to access how my training is going. At The Races came along to put a camera in my flushed face and their Jason Weaver was on hand for advice, support and a healthy level of ridicule. I find his show with Luke Harvey very amusing, but he got serious when giving me good pointers and Richard Perham reminded me as I left, “bum down, keep in a rhythm and balance!”

After passing the assessment ... Sorry, what did you say? What did I get? Oh, just 75%.

Anyway, after getting 75%, I went for a quick lunch in Tattersalls with Darley’s Mark McStay where he introduced me to another member of the Darley team, and rival charity race rider, Jono Mills. Looking fit as a flea, he’s putting in the groundwork and we compared notes, nerves and training stories. All the riders I’ve spoken to are having an equally brilliant time.

With D-day fast approaching, I’m off to get my gear tomorrow, on which all spots for branding are now taken, with my generous friends at Supreme Racing the final sponsors.

Over the past couple of years I’ve got to know some of the team and members. I love what they represent - an accessibility to race horse ownership, which is one of the most thrilling things in life, and shrewd management which has delivered multiple graded winners and even Royal Ascot success. Hopefully they’re onto another good thing come March!

BREATHE

Before we took off today on the Old Vic, Mark Fahey called over to me: “Every time you go past a furlong pole Hayley, take a deep breath. It will keep you settled. Don’t forget to breathe.”

It worked and was calming, and perhaps it’s advice I should probably take beyond the gallops as the pace of life gets frenetic.

Hayley O’Connor, who will be competing in this year’s Cheltenham Festival charity race, is a lover of horse racing, is herself a racehorse owner and breeder, and is the Irish public relations manager for Ladbrokes. She can be contacted by emailing at hayley.oconnor@ladbrokes.ie and donations can be made online.

Web: justgiving.com/Hayley-O-Connor