FOR many it’s a little like after the Lord Mayor’s Show following the Cheltenham Festival last week, but, having drawn a blank, it’s very much business as usual for me and there are still some nice prizes to be won before the season’s out.

I am at Newbury today for six rides, starting with Centurius. He has good flat form and was second to Windhoek in a listed race a couple of years ago.

He has done all his routine work well enough at home, but he’s the only one without experience in the John Haine Memorial Novices’ Hurdle, which will count against him. We’ll know more after this, but he looks a nice horse in the making.

Pepite Rose has been disappointing this season, and you’d really struggle to give her a chance on what she’s done so far this term.

However, this is the time of year when she really comes to life, she has a good record around Newbury - and actually won this last year - and will like the ground. On that basis, she would have a cracking chance in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase.

I can’t tell you an awful lot about Morello Royale, who I ride for Colin Tizzard in the Listed Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She won nicely at Warwick last time, and Colin had a winner last week. It’s a £40,000 race so I’m delighted just to have a ride.

Drumshambo has been a little disappointing this season, but did not run too badly at Ludlow last time.

Hopefully, that’s a sign he’s returning to form and he will like the ground, although the trip is a question mark. He runs in the three miles and two-furlong Handicap Chase.

Hopefully Pepite Rose can return to form, but my best two rides on the face of it could be my last two.

Eminent Poet has been second on his last two starts, including at Newbury last time. He’s clearly progressing and we’re very hopeful of a good run in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

I ride Royal Salute for Anthony Honeyball in the bumper. He was expected to win on his debut at Ffos Las. I am not sure what the excuses were, but he ran with more promise at Exeter next time. He seems a really nice horse and I’d be pretty hopeful.

The season is drawing to a close, with Aintree still to come. I have no idea what my plans are and who I will be riding in the Crabbie’s Grand National.

It’s been a good season on the whole despite Venetia and I being down on winners. I think she had close to 100 last season compared to nearly 50 this campaign, but we’ve made up for it with some nice Saturday winners and hopefully can finish with a flourish.