I’m delighted to be sponsored by MansionBet and am looking forward to working together this year. I will be writing an exclusive blog ahead of my weekend rides and doing everything I can to retain my title of Champion Jump Jockey this season.
Waiting Patiently ran well to finish 2nd in the King George on Boxing Day. You’d have to say, without sounding arrogant, that it wasn’t a huge shock that he ran as well as he did; he’s a horse I always believed to have a lot of ability. The ground was as quick as he’d want it but he travelled well, was in top gear for the last circuit and had a blow after the fourth last, then, when the front few got away from me, he got a second wind and stayed on well. But look, he hadn’t run for a year and it was only just second attempt over the trip. Obviously Frodon had had two runs already this season and was the best horse on the day, but my horse ran very well.
2021 has gotten off to a good start with a treble on the 1st January and again on the 3rd, but the likes of Harry Cobden and Harry Skelton are close on my tail. The very cold weather has caused havoc over the last few days with the abandonment of a few meetings but I’m looking forward to Kempton on Saturday where I have a couple of rides…
Saturday 9th January – Kempton
1.45pm – Commodore
I’ve not ridden Commodore before, although I beat him two runs ago in a decent Handicap at Haydock on Snow Leopardess who has run since and just got beat in the Rowland Meyrick, so that form looks strong. Last time you would have to say he looked unlucky – he unseated Charlie Deutsch at the last when challenging in an OK Handicap at Cheltenham. Looking through his form, he’s had two good runs and although he’s never run at a track like Kempton, I can’t see it being an issue as he looks to jump well and is in good form. Venetia’s horses are running well so you’d hope he has every chance.
Commodore is 5/1 with MansionBet for the 1:45 at Kempton.
3.30pm – Mount Mews
I suppose if you look through his back form, he was a winner of a Premier Hurdle once upon a time and was then second in a good Novice at Aintree. The last day, 3m at Carlisle, I felt he probably should have won, hence the reason he has a pair of blinkers on now. I just felt he pulled up a bit after the last and if he was to recapture his old form you’d have to see him put in a big run. Obviously, he’s a big price, so you’d hope the blinkers put in the desired effect. The horse is well at home and I know the team are expecting him to run well.
Mount Mews is 20/1 with MansionBet for the 3:30 at Kempton.
(*All odds correct at time of writing.)