It’s been quite a few days, and it’s not easy to know where to start.
However, I have to travel over the Irish Sea to the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
The weather did everything in its power to spoil it by causing the abandonment of Saturday, but the Irish authorities were quick to act, putting the racing back to Monday and what a treat it was.
The Irish Gold Cup... wow.
I could write for hours setting the race up, but the bottom line is that Fact To File returned to form to beat narrow King George third Gaelic Warrior by five lengths in a pulsating affair.
OK, so what has to be taken out of the race?
Fact To File is not currently in the Gold Cup, but surely he has to be supplemented and take his chance.
Secondly, the most logical option for Gaelic Warrior would be to go for the Ryanair, as he tanked along and would be a certainty should he turn up, although I do fear connections will go for the Gold Cup.
Finally, what a decision by Rebecca Curtis not to go with Haiti Couleurs and instead head to Newbury for the Denman Chase this weekend.
It would have been a nightmare of a journey to Leopardstown and without doubt, a tough race.
This way, they should have a great preparation for the big day in March.
I have just returned from Taunton, and I have mentioned numerous times in this column how Paul Nicholls farms the early novice/maiden races on a Taunton card.
Today was no exception as he introduced some really nice types.
Let’s start with Talk To The Man, he was huge and overcame a 318-day absence to win readily by just over five lengths.
Then Grand Vendetta took Division 2 of the novice hurdle also for Nicholls, and Beauty In The Park landed the mares’ novice hurdle for the same team.
The first three races, three wins; guess who rode them?
Oh yes, Harry Cobden.
That makes it six wins from ten rides for the trainer at the track this season and a healthy level stake profit.
You cannot say you weren’t told.
"Horses for courses," they say, and this certainly proved the case when Phoenix Risen (pictured) won for the third time at the track under the impressive Chad Bament, who is great value for his 7lb claim.
It was also great to see the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White team get on the scoreboard with Royal Jewel.
He is owned by loyal jump racing supporters Kath and Roger Penny, who are well known in the West Country not only under Rules but also in the Point-to-Pointing world - well done to them.
Incidentally, he was ridden by Ben Jones, who is riding out of his skin at the moment and should be followed.
On to the second chase of the day and Palawan Du Mazet took the honours.
He actually won the exact same race last year, only to be disqualified, so this was just reward for the horse as he recorded his first victory over fences.
Then on to the finale in the gathering gloom, but Our Dylan wasn’t concerned about that, nor were his owners the 4Racing Owners Club, who without doubt provided the loudest winning reception of the day.
Trained by Kayley Woollacott, who is enjoying her best-ever season, the game gelding stayed on strongly to register his fifth career success.
It was a great day’s sport in front of an enthusiastic crowd, and Taunton do it all over again on Thursday 12th February.
The first race is scheduled for 1.05pm, and early-bird discount tickets can be purchased at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.
There is also the usual courtesy coach service arranged for the day, departing from outside Platform 5 at Taunton Railway Station 90 minutes before the first race and returning half an hour after the start of the last.
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