IT'S been an interesting week or so to say the least. A lot has been said and written about the six-day hiatus in racing because of equine flu.

My opinion is that you have to trust the experts on this. I am not in a position to say whether the BHA were right or wrong in taking this action, but they listened to the evidence and took a view.

What I would say is that I thought the communication from the BHA was excellent. There were regular updates and to know last Thursday that racing would be called off until Wednesday this week gave us some certainty. It would have been far worse if we were waiting each morning for an update on whether racing would go ahead that day.

Perhaps I am speaking from a selfish point of view but it meant I could go away for a few days’ skiing, which was great fun and a chance to have a break.

It seems like we haven’t really had the weather-induced abandonments like we usually do, due to the unseasonably mild winter. I think there was a bit of credit in the bank so to speak, and I don’t think we’ll have missed more meetings than we normally would due to rain, frost and snow.

That said, it’s great to be back racing and I’m delighted with my book of rides at Haydock today.

Each of my rides today has a chance, but the highlight looks to be Yanworth, who runs in the William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle.

He is proper top-class hurdler, illustrated by wins in the Ascot Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and Aintree Stayers’ Hurdle.

He had a spell over fences last season, when he won the Dipper, but reverted to the smaller obstacles in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival, in which he came a fair sixth.

He hasn’t run since but if he’s anywhere near his best he looks the one to beat in this Grade Two.

Laskadine lines up in the olbg.com Mares' Hurdleon the back of a cosy enough win at Warwick. She is up in grade but she will improve for her British debut and should be in the mix.

I have never ridden Carole's Destrier before, but I have been through his form, and it’s very eye-catching.

He’s been in the winner’s circle seven times, but also run some great races in defeat, including when a half-length second to Native River in the Hennessy.

He’s showed himself to be in great heart this season, winning the Mandarin Chase at Newbury, before finishing fourth in the Classic chase at Warwick.

He’s a credit to his connections and if he can sustain the level of form he’s shown this season – and there’s no reason he shouldn’t – then he will be in with a shout in the William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.

Down The Highway makes his handicap debut in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle. He made a winning start to his British career at Lingfield in November and didn’t give his running at Sandown next time.

He did run well at Chepstow last month, when carrying a penalty, and this step up in trip will suit him. He’ll make into a nice chaser next year, but he’s got a chance here.

Geordie B runs in the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle. I rode him to win a nice competitive novice hurdle at Lingfield last time and he should improve again, as he has done with each run. My one concern is that the track might be a fraction sharp, but if he copes with it OK he’ll run a big race.