Although my luck wasn’t in at Cheltenham last weekend, I was delighted to see Ian Popham finally get the rub of the green when winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup aboard Annacotty.

A couple of years back Ian looked to have such a promising career ahead but has been plagued by injury and back luck. Just when he was coming back something else would happen and it must have been what felt like a never ending nightmare for him. He has shown great courage and determination to get back though, so to win the big one at Cheltenham with a strong ride was great to see. Hopefully he can have a clear run of things now and get the chance to fulfil his potential.

Haydock is going to be hard work this weekend, with conditions set to be fairly testing. My first ride today is Long Lunch for Charlie Longsdon.

I’ve never ridden him before, but he ran some good races in defeat last season. He’s stepping back in trip to two miles where he has some good winning form and he usually runs well first time out so I am hoping for a good spin.

I am really looking forward to getting back aboard Emperor’s Choice for Venetia Williams. It was a fantastic performance to win the Coral Welsh National last year which will again be his target.

He hasn’t run since Chepstow, as the ground went against him by the time he was ready to comeback. He’ll love the going and was a good second in this race last year on his reappearance, so he should go well again.

I ride Mijhaar for John Ferguson in the Betfair ‘Tap Tap Boom’ Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle. I really enjoy riding over the fixed brush and this year’s race looks as competitive as ever.

I rode Mijhaar for the first time at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance when he finished third in a three miler. I think the slight drop in trip will suit him as he just seemed to get a little bit tired in the closing stages, although this race could well feel further in the conditions.

I am back on Royal Palladium’s side today after beating him into second on Drop Out Joe in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton last time. It was a great first run from him but unfortunately he’s gone up 6lbs for not winning which will make things a bit tougher, but he’s still got a nice racing weight, will love the ground and I think he’s my best chance of the day.

I am looking forward to riding a nice mare for Venetia at Uttoxeter on Sunday called Tara Flow. She won nicely on her only start in a Bumper in Ireland and she’s been going well at home ahead of her hurdles debut.

The Betfair Chase again looks a strong renewal and has attracted the usual suspects. I thought Cue Card looked back to his brilliant best last time in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and although Paul Nicholls will have Silviniaco Conti well primed after his recent spin over hurdles at Kempton he’ll have to work hard if Cue Card gets into his jumping rhythm.

A lot has been made this week about the £1 million jumps triple crown bonus offered by the Jockey Club linking the Betfair Chase, King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It’s a really tough task with such a small pool of horses of the calibre to have a realistic chance of winning all three and if it is ever claimed it will be by a very special horse.