I WAS delighted to be asked to ride Minella Rocco and My Tent Or Yours for JP McManus earlier in the week, and I’ve also got the ride on O O Seven in the RSA Chase.

He’s a nice ride to pick up and I was 10 lengths behind him when he won at Cheltenham at The Open back in November; and won a decent chase in January.

As for the other two, Minella Rocco beat Native River at the Festival last year and Jonjo O’Neill’s horses are flying. It was shame things didn’t work out for him when unseating in Ireland last time, as we would have known where we stand going into the Timico Gold Cup, but I am still excited.

Native River looks the one to beat, but it’s looking a competitive Gold Cup and I know a lot of people have been tipping up More Of That recently, which makes sense given his top-class form over hurdles.

He was going very well before unseating at the last in the Irish Gold Cup, which shows he looks to be back to form.

My Tent Or Yours has been runner-up in this twice before and looks a very solid each-way proposition. Things are shaping up nicely and I will go into the rides in more detail on a daily basis next week.

I don’t have a standout ride at this stage, and I’m sure I’ll have lots of outside chances and I’ll be going into the festival with what looks to be my strongest book. I would be delighted to come home with one winner.

SUSPENDED ON SUNDAY

It’s a fairly low-key weekend for me; I’ve got three rides at Sandown today and then I’m suspended on Sunday after picking up a whip ban.

Lithic runs in the European Breeders’ Fund Matchbook VIP ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final, following his impressive win at Huntingdon on Sunday. He’s making a quick reappearance so he can run under a 5lb penalty before he’s raised by the handicapper. It’s clearly worth a shot as it’s a very nice prize.

Upswing is not that easy to win with but there’s no reason why he won’t run well. He’s been a bit in and out this season, but he would have a good each-way chance if on song in the Better Odds With Matchbook Handicap Chase.

I haven’t ridden Just A Thought, but she looks a very good mare based on her two bumper wins.

That said there appear to be some other very good mares lining up in the Listed EBF Stallions/TBA Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race so it looks a tough race, but she hasn’t put a foot wrong so far.

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