Irving was probably going to win at Wincanton when he fell at the last but his impressive run before Cheltenham earlier this year will begin to fade from the memory if he doesn't win at Newcastle tomorrow.
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been somewhat undermined by the introduction of new Grade 1 hurdle races in November and so if Irving is to live up to his promise it needs to be soon but I missed the 7/4 available earlier in the week and so, at 5/6, he plays the holding role in a couple of yankees that include things like Chelsea winning 2-0 at Sunderland.
I suggested Rocky Creek for the Hennessey at 12/1 last week and even though he is still available at 11/1, I won't desert him. I guess that the ground has dried out and so perhaps the money for him has too. But our long descent into penury was stalled last week with three out of four of our modest yankee obliging. I should have had more confidence in Silvianiaco Conti but when one's confidence is out, nothing seems obvious. If only Katkeau had been able to get properly involved in the finish, we might have been in dreamland with four out of four. However, if the doubles and trebles don't get our level stake quite into profit at the starting prices, they would do at the prices I took the night before which was 7/2, 11/4 and 15/8 compared to 10/3, 5/2 and 11/10. So, always, always take a price (especially with Paddy's Best Price Guarantee) because I reckon the money comes for a winner and it doesn't matter if the SP is better if you don't win.
And I forgot to say last week how Sam Twiston-Davies had been so entirely convincing on Sam Winner and astonishing winner Caid du Berlais at Cheltenham previously. I had been a bit of a doubter but am more than happy to sing his praises where they are due.
And so, I won't actually be stretched out on the settee with the paper, the crossword, a book and the racing on Saturday afternoon. It will seem such a waste of a weekend.