Show goes on in a year without precedent - and Pat Smullen would have known that

It's good to be back. This week I returned to work after an eight-month hiatus, initiated by the halt to racing in March.

In more recent months I've been recovering strength and mobility after double hip-replacement surgery, necessitated by the wear-and-tear of various sporting activities.

The operation took place on September 14. Two days later, shortly after negotiating the first few faltering steps with my new hips, I heard the terrible news of Pat Smullen's death.