I was pleased to see the Ladbrokes St Leger inquiry reached a conclusion in midweek. It’s one of those things that I am sure everyone would rather hadn’t have happened, but regardless of the outcome the sportsmanship shown by both sides, especially the Ballydoyle camp, was outstanding and has shown racing in a very positive light.

Especially when these things are played out in front of the media it’s important to consider racing’s image and the way in which both sides conducted themselves did the sport no harm at all.

Every flat jockey’s job got a little bit harder this week with the return of two of the greats; Ryan Moore and Kieren Fallon.

Ryan is a master of his profession and I know he’ll be itching to get back to what he loves doing most.

I am sure Kieren has returned from his stint riding in the states all fired up and ready go. He’s a true professional and one of the best sportsman I have ever come across. I count myself lucky to be riding in his era. I never thought he’d retire yet, he’s got plenty of life left in him and I wish him well.

And It was good to see some of the former top jump jockeys turning out to give Sam Morshead a nice send-off ahead of his last day in charge at Perth. I have more to do with Sam’s wife Anthea on the courses she looks after more than Sam himself, but I know they are a great team and have done a lot for racing in Scotland.

The early part of the week saw a few winners. I had a couple at Beverley on Tuesday. Rio’s Cliffs for Martyn Meade in the Maiden and I rode Munaawib for to win the mile handicap for Deborah Sanderson and then Layla’s Hero at Redcar on Wednesday for Dandy Nicholls.

I will be at Ripon and Musselburgh over the weekend with plenty of rides booked.

I’ve got a good chance in the opener at Ripon on Saturday where I ride Life Of Fame for Bryan Smart. It looks like a two-horse race to me with William Haggas’s Olympic Runner the one to beat.

They both finished third in separate divisions of the same Maiden at Haydock three weeks ago, although Life Of Fame’s race was run in a marginally quicker time, both should go well again.

I ride three for Mark Johnston and, to be honest I don’t know a great deal about any of them. I’ll be riding them all for the first time but you’re always in with a chance when you’re on one of Johnston’s. His horses are in good form and as I have said before, I have a good strike rate for him.

Miniaturist who runs in the Land Rover Nursery Handicap is stepping up in trip again to a mile. Enlace won over 7f at the Qatar Goodwood Festival three starts ago but hasn’t found that form since and drops back to 6f in the most valuable race of the day, the Ripon Cathedral City of the Dales Handicap.

Freight Train steps up to a mile and half in the Theakston Legendary Ales Handicap so there’s probably a lot still to learn about all three.

I am looking forward to riding Our Thomas for Tim Easterby in the three-year-old Maiden. On official ratings he’s the joint highest rated horse in the race. He’s never been out of the placings, he stays well and should have a massive chance.

In the last race at Ripon I ride course and distance winner Singeur for Rebecca Bastiman. She has made a great start to her training career and Singeur, who won over this trip back in May and has been knocking on the door ever since, deserves to win a decent race.

I’ll be heading further north to Musselburgh tomorrow where I’ve got some good rides which include Love Marmalade for Alistair Whillans. She’s a nice filly who’s won over the course and distance and will have a big chance.