'Al Dancer is improving all the time and I think he'll win the Betfair Hurdle'

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
Work hard, keep your head down and follow the old saying – keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

What is your earliest racing memory?
Best Mate winning one of his Gold Cups in the early 2000s. I remember getting picked up from school and arriving home just in time to watch it.

Almost a year has passed since your enforced retirement as a jockey, how is life treating you and what are you up to?
I’m working for Ben Pauling, doing a bit of work riding and representing Ben at the races occasionally. It’s not as exciting as being out there race-riding and being right in the thick of the action but it’s great to be very much involved in the sport.