THERE are few big interviews, in-depth quotes or wise cracks to be found in print from Kevin Manning during his career in the saddle.

A man of deeds not words, letting his riding speak for itself, making the most of his opportunities and one who made few errors in the execution of those Group 1 wins.

Looking back on his career, two rides stand out to show the skill in the saddle. Jockeys are best judged on rides on the big-pressure days. And when things did not go as planned.

Early in the 2008 Derby, things were not going as anyone intended. New Approach, on his biggest day, over a longer distance, was refusing to settle and decreasing his chances through each of those early furlongs. He was still keen running down to Tattenham Corner. But Manning did not panic and when push came to shove, he drove New Approach through for a famous Derby victory.

The second race to standout was an example that it is not the man who never make a mistake that we hail, but the one who does not make the same one a second time.

The top-class filly Lush Lashes was the even-money favourite but ran into trouble in the Nassau Stakes in 2008 and she finished second to Johnny Murtagh and Halfway To Heaven. She should have won.

The from comments: “not clear run and hanging 2f out, progress when switched inside and nowhere to go 1f out, switched left and finished strongly”

Next time out she proved she stayed a mile and a half in winning the Yorkshire Oaks but then she was dropped back to a mile for the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and again taking on Halfway To Heaven, over an even shorter distance. No room for error this time - Settled 2nd, challenged entering straight, led 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure. She was always in the position to maximise her chance. That’s what marks out the best of jockeys.

THERE’S no point in paying those expensive Guinness prices if Hewick goes to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup – he’s not too fond of the black stuff!

However, his presence in the Pint Depot pub in Bagenalstown caused as much kerfuffle as the price of a pint at the course had done earlier this autumn.

And of course he is in good company with photos subsequently appearing of Gold Cup winners Mandarin, Arkle and L’Escargot also receiving some liquid refreshment for their efforts.

And for those Cheltenham Festival preview night devotees, we remember of a cold February night, the late Oliver Brady bringing his then charge Pablo into the Glencairn Hotel ballroom during the preview to show MC Matt Chapman that the horse was hale and hearty.

Hewick’s been in many different surroundings in his trip to the US and back. It was all a bit of fun and you trust those around the horses to have their care in hand. Quite how so many got on their high horses and proclaimed what an awful look it was for racing is beyond me.

On Twitter

Michael Moloney@MoloneyMichael

Great day to round off our year with 6,000 students cheering home the runners at Ballybrit! It been great to have crowds back this year and it’s such a privilege to work with such a great team. Roll on 2023! #teamwork

Frankie Foster@FrankieFoster3_

Can’t believe some of the comments under the video of Hewick in the Pub. That horse is their hero. People have literally come out to take pictures, show their love and celebrate him… And no one will love him more than Shark & the owner

Justin Flood@JustinFlood17

Now that the summer meets are all finished, I’d like to congratulate Kilbeggan, Sligo Ballinrobe and Galway for the amount of people they got through the gates. A tremendous buzz at all their meetings.