Le Patriote could be major player in Swinton Hurdle after Cheltenham win

When you’re moving up to challenge a horse who takes a horrible fall at the last, the first thing that comes into your head is the hope that both horse and rider are okay.

That’s what happened at Cheltenham on Wednesday when Golden Birthday and Sean Bowen fell heavily. Harry Fry’s horse certainly wasn’t stopping, but my mount, Le Patriote, finished strongly up the hill to win by three and a half lengths.

It was a good performance on his first run back after sustaining a minor stress fracture of the pelvis in November. His aim is now the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock next month, a race which should suit him well.