I am delighted to have been selected as one of the lucky 12 riders who will be racing in the St. Patrick's Derby at Cheltenham on Thursday 12th March.  Incredibly it is over 15 years since I rode in a handful Point to Points (where did the time go?) so to have this opportunity is amazing. 

With the expert assistance of Leighton Aspell, Gary Moore and all at Cisswood Stables, a few bits of jockey coaching from Rodi Greene and a ferocious fitness regime, I am slowly moulding into something resembling a jockey though far less AP McCoy than I would like!

I am riding to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and the race will be the culmination of the charity's 50th anniversary celebrations. As an Almoner for the past 6 years I always say the Fund does what it says on the tin - we provide care, compassion and financial help to injured jockeys and their families, including amateurs and Point to Point riders.  I know from experience how quickly a calamity can arise from nowhere and how difficult it can be to manage the consequences without support so please support my fundraising effort for this very worthwhile cause.

Thanks very much. I'm just off to test my thighs again......