How did you get involved in the horse racing industry?

I had ponies growing up from about the age of five and I rode for Wales in the mounted games for a few years until I was about 17. I always had an interest in racing and, to my mum’s disgust, I wanted to go to the racing school and be a jockey.

I went to Donald McCain’s yard on work experience when I was 15 and that’s where I got the bug. While still in school I bought a point-to-pointer, trained her myself from home, and rode her in her races before going back to Donald’s when I was 18.

I then moved to Ireland and worked for Gordon Elliott for a number of years. I led up my first Cheltenham Festival winner for Gordon, Diamond King in the 2016 Coral Cup, and in 2022, the last time I went to Cheltenham with Gordon, I led up Commander Of Fleet to win the Coral Cup.

I’m currently working for Horse Racing Ireland in the ownership department, and I ride out for Padraig Roche on weekends and as often as I can.

Tell us about the horse that you’re leading up at Cheltenham?

His name is Win Some Lose Some, but we call him ‘Lucky’ because his dam’s name is All For Luck. He was born and raised at Padraig’s yard, Curragh View.

His granddam, Like-A-Butterfly, won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2002 when trained by Padraig’s father Christy. He was a bit of a late developer. This time last year he won his maiden and he’s just kept on improving and progressing through the ranks.

He’s gone from an Irish rating of 105 to a rating of 135 in a year so it’s quite impressive. Nothing beats finding a horse like that and seeing them progress, he’s like my child and I love seeing him do well.

What are the best, and most challenging parts about going to Cheltenham?

The build-up is probably the best bit. You’re supposed to treat it like any other race meeting, but Cheltenham is such a special place. It’s great seeing your friends from different yards and meeting up with them. Especially if you’re going with a horse that you’ve looked after for a number of years, it’s really special taking your pride and joy to Cheltenham.

The worst part has got to be the nerves. I had an Apple watch on last year and my heart rate was at 160 while I watched Brazil run in the Coral Cup. It’s the same for everyone there. You build up a whole year for that moment. All you can hope for is that they run well and come home safe and sound.

Have you got any pre-race superstitions?

I used to have a lucky outfit, but a horse that I looked after won at Aintree one year when I wasn’t wearing it so it obviously wasn’t working. Since then, I have tried to be more relaxed about it because I can get quite obsessed.

With this guy’s name being Win Some Lose Some, he tends to win one and then lose one. Unfortunately he won last time out, so I’m hoping this time he rises above his name and wins another one! That’s the only thing I’m worried about, hopefully we can overcome that.