What fantastic news that Hereford is reopening after an absence of nearly four years.

I rode plenty of winners there and it’s only 15 to 20 minutes away from Venetia Williams's so I might be biased. It’s a lovely track to ride and was always well supported with decent crowds. It’s a racing heartland and the news will be a real boost to the local community.

It has 245 years of history so it was a big shame when it had to close – but hopefully there will be a bright future now.

I head up to Haydock on Saturday for four rides, headed by Otago Trail.

He is eight years old but has raced only 10 times under Rules and has clearly taken to fences, having won two of his three starts over the bigger obstacles.

His last win at Chepstow on Coral Welsh National day a fortnight ago could not have been more impressive.

His 36-length margin of victory was in part down to the heavy conditions, but it showed he is ready for this step up in grade.

He runs in the Grade Two Start Your Racing UK Free Trial Now Novices’ Chase and is clear on the official ratings.

However, I would take the rating with a pinch of salt as he may have been flattered by the margin of victory last time. I would be very wary of Bristol De Mai, who was second in the Grade One Novices’ Chase at Sandown before cantering home last time. I’m not saying Otago Trail can’t win, but I’m not sure he should be favourite.

Venetia also runs Katenko in the Peter Marsh Chase. Nothing really seems to have gone his way since he nearly died from colic three years ago and he has been slightly in the wilderness since. He was running okay at Ascot last month, before hitting one hard which resulted in me pulling him up.

It’s hard to know what to expect from him, but he is well handicapped if he can recapture his best form from the 2012-13 season.

I have only ridden for Donald McCain once before, but I have two rides for him in the shape of Corrin Wood in the opening NRC Cheltenham Preview Night and Ubaltique in the Lymm Handicap Chase.

I don’t know too much about either, but Donald’s horses are running well and it’s great to ride for him.

I will be keeping an eye on events at Ascot with interest, where Un De Sceaux takes on Sire De Grugy in the Sodexo Clarence House.

The bookies have made Un De Sceaux an 8-13 chance, which seems pretty short to me. He won’t have it all his own way up front as Sire De Grugy likes to race prominently, too, and won’t make it easy for him. One thing is for sure, it will be a strongly-run race with a fierce end-to-end gallop. It will be a proper test of the favourite.

Aidan is sponsored by Racing UK, which is offering a free one-month trial to new residential Racing UK customers. Visit racinguk.com/freetrial to start your free one-month trial now.