Dear Ted,

How’s things, good to see you fresh and well with all the family on RTE this week. Sure, I enjoyed the old banter at Fairyhouse, wasn’t it a great day for the National and Ruby coming up trumps for Willie.

But now, I’m afraid I write in a state of some annoyance. When I got myself up and home, and had a look back to see my little error of judgement, it took a few circuits of my box for me to calm down.

I consulted with a few of my buddies in the yard and I have to take a stand and defend myself against your atrocious slur on my ability, broadcast to the nation last Monday.

“Stupid, “Brain-dead”, a “so-and-so”? Now even Peppa Pig would not put up with such character assassination.

How many hurdles have you jumped, and at Cheltenham pace? I’ve been to five Festivals, run in two Champion Hurdles, won a County Hurdle and only got caught a short-head last month in the Coral Cup. That’s 42 hurdles at speed. Let’s get a bit of respect! If we’re getting personal, show me your Cheltenham record and I’ll show you mine.

I’ll raise you my 14 wins, my Irish St Leger, County Hurdle, Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Find me a stupid horse that can match my record. Show some respect, man!

And what about that day myself and Frankie Dettori scalped no less a horse than Order Of St George in the Irish St Leger, didn’t Frankie love me? And yourself? Sure, weren’t you as happy as Larry with Frankie hugging and kissing you. We were one big happy family!

Did you not see meself and Patrick showing them how’s it’s done to win the Punchestown Champion Hurdle two years ago. Jumping that field into the ground.

And what about Ruby and Kauto Star – three times on the deck, all those final fence blunders? Did you call him those names? How long did it take them to learn how to jump the last fence properly?

I might be heading to Punchestown with some of my Closutton buddies. See you there. And don’t go walking in any doors without looking! #WatchTed

Yours sincerely,

Wicklow (the) Brave