Things are fairly quiet only a few weeks out from the Cheltenham Festival.

Everybody asks whether I’m finalising plans about what I am riding, but to be honest I’ve got a few weeks of rides to get out of the way first and I’m concentrating on those.

I’ve got two rides at Newcastle today, starting with Emperor’s Choice in the Betfred Eider Chase. He has not won since November 2015 but he is a good horse on his day – he won the Welsh National on heavy ground in 2014.

Venetia [Williams] has put him in first-time blinkers, and he needs them if he is going to step up on his recent form. I’m really hoping they make a difference, and they should sharpen him up a bit.

I’m also on Zamdy Man for JP McManus and Venetia in the Betfred Super League Novices’ Chase.

He ran well the last day at Hereford over two miles on soft ground when he beat Gino Trail by a length and a half. The beaten horse went on to run second in the Grade Two at Warwick a few weeks ago so that looks decent form.

Given the conditions at Hereford, the extended two miles on heavy at Newcastle should be right up his street. He is a big horse, so should have no problems carrying the weight, and I think people get a bit too carried away with these things. I’m hopeful.

I rode a few good winners in midweek. Charlie Longsdon’s Killala Quay won the Veteran’s Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Wednesday. He beat Tom George’s Saint Are and Ericht by a head and a neck, but there was 14 lengths back to Astracad.

It was great to have a winner like that and the Veteran’s Series is a wonderful concept. I won the finale with Pete The Feat at Sandown for Charlie in January so hopefully Killala Quay can make it there. He’s come down the handicap but he’s ten now so there is a good reason as to why.

Plaisir D’Amour was a good winner of the two-Mile handicap chase at Wetherby the day beforehand, beating Lightening Rod by five lengths. I only got on her because Liam Treadwell couldn’t ride so I do not know much about her.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing Charli Parcs run at Kempton on Saturday in the Betbright Genius Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.

JP’s horse was very impressive when he beat Master Blueyes by eight lengths. I do not think anybody can take a real view which race Charli Parcs should run in at the Cheltenham Festival because that was his only run since coming over from France.

Nicky Henderson is the only one who can take a real view, but we will all find out a lot more when he steps up in grade.

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