I'm from Killyon, Co Meath and always had a fascination for ponies. My mam and dad eventually gave in and I got riding lessons and then I got my own pony. Then when I was about 12 or 13, I was fortunate enough to start working for Frederick John Bowles and all I wanted was racehorses after that. I was mucking out and riding out there and doing general stable duties. That was during weekends and school holidays. I got the bug massively. I wanted to be a jockey but wasn't good enough. I had a few rides in places like Limerick and Roscommon as an amateur in bumpers. My bottle probably wasn't good enough either.

A hopeful Olly Murphy “wouldn’t swap” Strong Leader for any of his rivals in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Dan Skelton is confident Grey Dawning will be able to cope with quicker ground and a faster pace in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.