Putting in motorway miles on freelance lane to 100 winners

My job title has changed since my final column of last season on bet365 Gold Cup day at Sandown in April. I am no longer first-choice jockey for Paul Nicholls and have gone down the freelance road for the next stage of my career.

The announcement was made on the eve of the new season in May – to the Racing Post, of course! – after I had enjoyed a great holiday in Las Vegas with Aidan Coleman and Richie McLernon.

I still have a good relationship with Paul and all the team at Ditcheat and go down to ride work there one morning each week.