Sat, 31st Oct, 2026  We decided on it about a month ago. Obviously, with his rating now he is out of handicaps. He was quite hard to place. It is a great experience coming here, the owners love it. That was brilliant. He is always good fresh. If you are ever going to go for a Grade One, now would be the time before the Mullins brigade and a few others are out. That's what we thought (make it a test off the front). I just thought at certain points in the race if he was happy or travelling as well as he can, but he found a second wind. The ground wouldn't have been ideal, not because he doesn't go on it, but it doesn't play to his strengths. It is nice to know that he can do that and go that speed in a Grade One. We were scratching our heads with the Gold Cup, but I don't think he was himself that day - Sean (Bowen) swears he wasn't. and his coat was yellowy. At least now we can pinpoint certain races and give him loads of time. I would definitely look at the Denman Chase (Grade 2, Newbury) again with him. Paul has actually suggested Auteuil, the Grande Steeple-Chase would really suit him, so that might be a target. Obviously, Paul used to come over and ride a lot of mine years ago. We've always had quite a good relationship and when we knew we couldn't have Sean, you wouldn't get a better replacement. Rebecca Curtis

After race at Down Royal Sat, 31st Oct, 2026 (1st)  That was brilliant. He is always good fresh. We decided on it (Down Royal) about a month ago. Obviously, with his rating now he is out of handicaps. He was quite hard to place. It is a great experience coming here, the owners love it. If you are ever going to go for a Grade One, now would be the time before the Mullins brigade and a few others are out. That’s what we thought (make it a test off the front). I just thought at certain points in the race if he was happy or travelling as well as he can, but he found a second wind. The ground wouldn’t have been ideal, not because he doesn’t go on it, but it doesn’t play to his strengths. It is nice to know that he can do that and go that speed in a Grade One. We were scratching our heads with the Gold Cup, but I don’t think he was himself that day – Sean swears he wasn’t and his coat was yellowy. At least now we can pinpoint certain races and give him loads of time. I would definitely look at the Denman Chase (Grade Two, Newbury) again with him. Paul has actually suggested Auteuil, the Grand Steeple-Chase would really suit him, so that might be a target. Rebecca Curtis

After race at Down Royal Sat, 31st Oct, 2026 (1st)  We decided on it about a month ago. Obviously, with his rating now he is out of handicaps. He was quite hard to place. It is a great experience coming here, the owners love it. That was brilliant. He is always good fresh. If you are ever going to go for a Grade One, now would be the time before the Mullins brigade and a few others are out. That's what we thought (make it a test off the front). I just thought at certain points in the race if he was happy or travelling as well as he can, but he found a second wind. The ground wouldn't have been ideal, not because he doesn't go on it, but it doesn't play to his strengths. It is nice to know that he can do that and go that speed in a Grade One. We were scratching our heads with the Gold Cup, but I don't think he was himself that day - Sean (Bowen) swears he wasn't. and his coat was yellowy. At least now we can pinpoint certain races and give him loads of time. I would definitely look at the Denman Chase (Grade 2, Newbury) again with him. Paul has actually suggested Auteuil, the Grande Steeple-Chase would really suit him, so that might be a target. Obviously, Paul used to come over and ride a lot of mine years ago. We've always had quite a good relationship and when we knew we couldn't have Sean, you wouldn't get a better replacement. Rebecca Curtis