Gavin Sheehan: Looking forward to Golf and Ga Law

With racing back in full swing there’s been no galivanting around crazy golf courses or visits to Clarkson’s pub for me this week. I did get up to Scotland for a couple of days midweek though, as I was riding at Ayr, so I managed to sneak in a spa visit with some of the other lads on Tuesday morning. Although Storm Éowyn caused some havoc, the weather is now set to start improving, which makes me excited for the spring because that can only mean one thing – the golf clubs are nearly ready to get out! Oh, and Cheltenham and Aintree, of course... 

Last weekend was a fruitful one for me in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup, and I had a nice winner at Ascot and at Windsor in the Berkshire Winter Million. With the points I nicked across the weekend, I’m now sitting in a solid sixth place with a gap of 24 points back to Charlie Deutsch in seventh. Those weekends where you’re able to nick a few points will be so important come April because most of the time you’re facing some tough asks, much like this weekend!

I’ve got three rides at Cheltenham on Saturday and, while it’s always nice to be riding here, it’s not going to be easy to pick up many points. The first of my rides is on

Victory Shout

(1.15) for Anthony Charlton in the Triumph Trial. This is an interesting runner because I think this is the first time in my career I’ve ever ridden a entire horse [hasn’t been gelded] over obstacles. This is the first time he’s jumped in public, having had a career on the Flat, so he will be up against it as a lot of others in this race have good experience under their belts. He has won over a mile and a half so this trip shouldn’t be too much of a problem but Cheltenham can be quite demanding first time up. 

Soul Icon

(1.50) deservedly got his head in front at Kempton over Christmas in the Desert Orchid Chase, which was brilliant for Keiran Burke and the team, but this may prove tougher. It’s a very competitive field with some classy types in the race, so we may be up against it here to follow up. I’ll be hoping though that we can get some Jockeys’ Cup points and be in there at the finish. 

In the Cleeve Hurdle I’m back with

Ga Law

(3.35) where it is a case of the better the ground the better the horse. He’s been a great servant for the yard and we’re trying him back over hurdles. Any time he has run over hurdles before it's been on ground that hasn’t suited him, so hopefully if the rain stays away then he can take his chance. If he enjoys himself here and is competitive then that opens up the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a possible option.