Sun Racing ambassador Megan Nicholls is back as she looks forward to return of the Flat
THERE was a royal rumble around Ditcheat on Thursday as the Queen came to visit our Cheltenham heroes.
We all donned our best outfits in her honour and everyone was absolutely buzzing.
Dad was a bit annoyed, though – Her Majesty was more excited about the Flat season starting than Aintree next week!
In all seriousness, it was the most amazing experience and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
You’re left wishing it would happen all the time!
In other news, it’s fabulous to see the Flat back up and running again.
The opening meeting takes place at Doncaster and there’s some cracking racing all through the card.
Obviously the Lincoln is the highlight and favourite Auxerre looks the one to beat.
This race often takes a horse with Group potential to win – and he fits the profile nicely.
At a bigger price I’m a fan of Ripp Orf, who had lots of runs last year in big-field handicaps and you can probably put a line through his last start.
He often goes well fresh and could be well worth keeping an eye on.
Noel Fehily retires
What an awesome way it was for Noel Fehily to bow out!
He landed a Cheltenham winner before riding Get In The Queue to victory on his final ride – and I couldn’t be happier for him.
He’s ridden some great horses for us – including Silviniaco Conti and Rock On Ruby – and it’s been fantastic having him around.
He was always someone I looked up to and a lot of the lads coming through say they want to ride like him.
It’s great that we’ve been able to play a small part in his success and I wish him all the best.
This is the first Saturday in ages when we haven’t had any runners, but we make up for it at Ascot on Sunday.
My Way runs in the opening maiden hurdle at 2.10.
He deserves to get his head in front after some valiant efforts inn defeat and comes into the contest as the highest rated horse.
He’s a bit of a head-scratcher as we’re not sure whether he doesn’t stay or if he needs further.
It would be nice to get his head in front as he’s well in himself and this looks an ideal opportunity.
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Scaramanga goes in the 2.45, a juvenile handicap hurdle.
I’ve always liked him and he’s proved to be very progressive, winning nicely last time after two placed efforts.
He was a bit soft when we got him but has hardened up now and should have a big chance here.
Deadline Diva runs in the same contest, off a mark of 124 – which seems pretty fair.
She ran a decent race in the Adonis and that has ended up working out quite well.
It was more of a confidence booster that day and I expect her to improve for it so hopefully she can run nicely off a good weight.
Philip Makin changes up
The other jockey to retire this week was Philip Makin, who’s changing up to become a trainer.
I’m good friends with both him and his partner Sammy Jo Bell and I know they’ve been thinking about going into training for a while.
They’ve got a lovely place and both work endless hours, so hopefully it will work out well.
Phil’s always had a great eye for a horse and he deserves every success.
Favorito Buck’s takes on only four rivals in the 3.20, but it’s still a competitive little race.
He doesn’t enjoy a bog so this should be much more suitable back on better ground.
We know he likes the track and he’s run well here before so hopefully he’ll bounce back.
Capeland has been ultra-consistent this season and deserves to get his head in front in the 3.20.
He was running a big race in the JLT at the Cheltenham Festival before making a bad mistake, and after that Harry looked after him.
Hopefully he’s not feeling a long season and can go close once again.
A Krazy week!
I rode Krazy Paving to win his second race on the bounce on Monday.
He’s a legend of a horse and has been very good to me.
It’s awesome to be able to repay Olly Murphy who’s supported me throughout the winter and hopefully we can team up more.
He’s an up-and-coming trainer who you’d want to be riding for, so to get a couple of winners for him is fantastic.
Peak To Peak runs in the 5.05.
He’s taken a long time to get back to full fitness but is hopefully getting that way now.
He got a bit tired at Wincanton last time out but if that run has brought him forward then he’s definitely more than capable of landing this sort of contest.
I’m not saying he’ll win but he has every chance if showing his old form.
Our old inmate Virak runs in the last for Rose Loxton.
Natalie Parker takes off 5lb and knows the horse inside out so hopefully the pair can land an Ascot winner.
It’s a more competitive race than the point-to-point he ran in last time but he’s been in good form between the flags.