One of the big handicaps in the North-East, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes, takes place at Ripon today. I ride Mythmaker for Bryan Smart, whose horses are in fine form.

He was a bit below-par last time at Newcastle last time but on his best form – he was second in a decent handicap at the Dante Festival in May – he would have an each-way squeak.

The consolation race, the William Hill Silver Trophy Handicap, sees Fendale line up. He’s a horse we’ve always liked and was one of the leading fancies for the Gimcrack a couple of years ago.

He has been a little disappointing but the bit of ease in the ground will be perfect for him. His owner Ritchie Fiddes, who owns Mecca’s Angel, lives in Ripon so will be coming and hopefully he will be rewarded with a good run. Michael Dods’ horses are in great nick too.

Trainer Michael Bell and owner Bill Gredley had a terrific time at Glorious Goodwood thanks to Big Orange and Franklin D, and it’s great to ride Bocking End in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap for them. I was booked well in advance, so hopefully they are confident of a big run.

My final ride on Saturday is Kings Gold, who runs in the William Hill Download The App Handicap. He’s still a maiden but deserves a win as he’s bumped into the odd good one. This step back up to one mile and a half should really suit.

It looks likely I will ride Mecca’s Angel in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next Friday although it’s a very close call and the decision is weather dependent. The forecast I saw for York indicated there will be some rain there next week, which would clearly suit Mecca’s.

It looks like being a brilliant race with Acapulco and Limato in the entries, although Profitable would be the one I really fear. He’s beaten us twice this season and is coming back to five furlongs, plus there could be more improvement in him. That said, I wouldn’t swap last year’s winner for any horse in the race.

Paul Carberry, who announced his retirement earlier this week, was a one-off. He could coax horses to win which other jockeys couldn’t. He was a supreme horseman who understood the thoroughbred better than most.

He is only 42 and still had plenty of years ahead of him and it shows how your career can be over in a flash and when you’re least expecting it. I am 34 and I plan to ride until I am 50.

Of course you have to maintain your fitness levels, but you have to remember that at least 80 per cent of every performance is down to the horse. And as you get older, you gain more experience, which can prove vital. Look at Frankie Dettori – I don’t think he’s riding better at the age of 45.

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