The last two years have been hell - I cannot wait to see you all this weekend

I was there when Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore returned to the winner's enclosure after last year's Irish Champion Hurdle. Her grin gave the game away. "That's the sharpest she's ever been, Henry. She was so sharp the whole way." You couldn't help but hear every word.

It was like being backstage on the set of Line Of Duty and hearing Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston discuss who the bent copper was going to be in the next episode. Nothing but the rustling of leaves in the nearby trees coming between me and them. It was eerie.

I was there when the same Honeysuckle slowed right down going into the final flight of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle last April.