THE Big Dog bids to give those of us in Peter Fahey’s Monasterevin stable a late Christmas present, when he lines up in the Coral Welsh Grand National on Tuesday afternoon.

Having already won both the Munster National and Troytown Chase this season, the nine-year-old looks to have every chance of being involved.

As the horse’s regular work rider, I will travel over the morning before the race and be at Chepstow on the day itself.

I got into horses through my brother Alan (Davidson) who is a few years older than me. Originally from Dublin, we learned to ride ponies at a riding school in the Phoenix Park. I was about seven or eight starting off and continued with the horses up to the age of 10, when the family moved down to Kildare.

With school and everything else, I drifted away from riding for a few years but got back into it in my mid-teens. After leaving school at 15, I went to work full-time for Seamus Fahey. It was the first time I had worked with thoroughbreds, so had plenty to learn.

Seamus was a great boss to have; he really got me going in racing. At 17, I moved down to Limerick to take up a job as amateur jockey with Michael Hourigan. Over the course of the next 12 months, I had a few rides in bumpers, mostly on horses making their racecourse debuts.

On my return to Kildare, I started with Dick Brabazon on the Curragh. He had and still retains an excellent reputation for breaking and pre-training young horses. Dick was very good to me, teaching me a lot about horsemanship over the years. Every winter, from September to March, I went back to his yard. When it got quiet for the summer, I went to various different trainers.

Over the years, I have sat on multiple future stakes winners in Brabazon’s but the one that stands out above all others is Snow Fairy. I rode her out when she was starting off and, even back then, you just knew there was something special about her. We had upwards of 50/60 yearlings in every winter and it was always an exciting time. I spent 14 winters at Dick Brabazon’s, before the body eventually told me it was easier to ride racehorses than yearlings!

Classic winner

During two of those summers, I worked for Adrian Keatley when I left Brabazon’s. Jet Setting winning the Irish 1000 Guineas was an incredible day; one I will never forget.

I was at the Curragh that afternoon, although Robbie Dolan - who looked after the filly at home - led her up. Just a 10lb claimer at the time, Robbie has since gone on to make a name for himself in Australia, becoming a dual champion apprentice.

Looking back on it now, it was a great thrill to ride work with a future star of the racing game. In 2016 I got to travel to the Cheltenham November meeting with Mountain Rock, who finished fifth in a listed bumper. He was a decent horse but the ground was just that bit soft for him on the day. It was still a wonderful experience to be involved with a runner who represented himself well. After Keatley’s, I spent a couple of summers with Peter Fahey but always went back to Dick Brabazon for the winter. Since finishing up with the yearlings, I have been based full-time with Peter.

About four months ago, Peter asked if I would start riding out The Big Dog. Although he is very genuine, the horse can just be that bit lazy in his work and Peter knew that I would suit him. I am very fidgety; always squeezing and keeping horses on their toes. Since that day, I have always ridden the horse out at home.

I wasn’t present at Limerick when The Big Dog won the Munster National but was at Navan for his Troytown win. To be honest, while Limerick was a bit of a surprise - as we felt he would need the run - the Navan success was fully expected.

Prior to the Troytown, I was outside the parade ring taking a video of the horse as he walked around. Peter came over, asking me to join himself and the owners inside. I hesitated for a moment but he said that, having ridden the horse at home, I was as much a part of the team as anyone else. I really appreciated that gesture and, if anything, it just makes you more determined to work harder.

Great atmosphere

Anyone who works in racing doesn’t do it for the money. It’s just about the love of the game; the horses give you a buzz you can’t put into words, especially the good ones. Working in Peter’s doesn’t feel like work; everyone always seems to be happy coming in every morning and I think that is down to the way the yard is run by himself and Ber. Everything is run smoothly; the atmosphere is great.

The staff are well looked after; treated to breakfast after every winner, be it big or small. I’m grateful to be trusted to ride some of his good horses and Peter makes everyone feel appreciated for the efforts they put in. His biggest job has always been trying to get me to slow down on the gallops!

The Big Dog was due to travel to Chepstow on December 23rd and I will follow on St Stephen’s Day. With three kids at home, I didn’t want to miss Christmas, so Peter arranged for me to travel later, in order to ride the horse out the day before the race. I will stay over in Wales and attend the races on the 27th.

As the National was an early closing race, The Big Dog is effectively 6lb well-in after his Troytown win. The Irish handicapper raised him 10lb but he only has to carry a 4lb penalty at Chepstow.

The Troytown runner-up Lifetime Ambition finished 15 lengths clear of the rest and he was Grade 1 placed again this week behind two stars in Galopin Des Champs and Fakir D’oudairies. The form looks pretty strong. I have no fears about The Big Dog staying the three miles and six at Chepstow, as he will gallop all day for you.

With luck on our side, I’d be quietly confident that The Big Dog could complete the hat-trick and bring the prize back to Ireland.

Marto Davidson was in conversation with John O’Riordan