Only enigmatic Labaik knows his own mind

First thing's second. If you were at Stratford on Sunday (the preferred option) or watching on television you’ll have been able to see Miss Page Fuller ride a double. Despite her unusual name and a dietary regime that seems to be based on all-you-can-eat Chinese banqueting, Fuller, 21, has shown herself to be an accomplished rider and is good value for her 7lb allowance.

Now based with Jamie Snowden, Fuller has graduated from winning point-to-points and hunter chases to beating professional jockeys over hurdles and fences. She has ridden eight winners this season and will surely beat that total during the new season. In the days when people had notebooks and pens she would have been "one for the notebook." Now she's one for your digital notebook.

More pressingly, all eyes (poetic licence) will be on the Herald Novice Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday (4.20) and, in particular, on the inside of Labaik's head. It is often impossible to know what's going on in other people's heads so what chance have we got with horses?

What we can say is that a lot of punters, especially in-play punters, will be studying Labaik closely at the start. Will the winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle deign to take part? The six-year-old's record in his latest nine appearances, on the Flat and over hurdles, reads as follows:

Refused to race - Lingfield, Laytown, Fairyhouse and Navan.

Virtually refused to race and tailed off last - Chantilly and Naas.

Condescended to race and won - Punchestown, Navan and Cheltenham.

Labaik is no respecter of racecourses, trainers or jockeys. He is prepared to withhold co-operation anywhere and from anyone. Trainers John Hammond, Owen Burrows and Gordon Elliott have all been frustrated by him. Jockeys Antoine Hamelin, Dane O'Neill, Declan McDonogh, Barry Geraghty, Keith Donoghue and Jack Kennedy have been left despairing, although Donoghue and Kennedy as well as Ruby Walsh have also triumphed.

If Labaik starts, he has an excellent chance of winning. If he doesn't, winning will be quite difficult.

Luckily, Labaik himself may supply the answer. Labaik allahuma Labaik is part of a chant sung by pilgrims to Mecca. It signifies that the pilgrim is at Allah's service. Although Labaik has shown himself reluctant to be at anyone’s service, it might be worth Elliott and Kennedy giving it a try.

The Punchestown Festival always offers terrific racing and if Labaik won't start, Un De Sceaux, in the Boylesports Champion Chase (5.30) is more likely to be hard to stop. With Willie Mullins' scintillating winner of the Ryanair Chase facing Fox Norton, runner-up in the Champion Chase and winner of the Melling Chase at Aintree, it will be an exciting fare.

Obviously, Brighton shouldn’t be overlooked. Jonnie Skull shows the elderly the way by making his 202nd start (7.25) while Roy Rocket (6.20) will warm the cockles of Brighton regulars' hearts by making his seasonal reappearance at the course where John Berry's grey has achieved all his five victories.

What more could you want?