Day job: farmer and fencing contractor
Favourite course and why: Upton-on-Severn. A superb, long, galloping track and you always seem to have loads of time there.
Best moment: I once rode a four-timer there — on Sharinski, Bagalino, Rocket Radar and Let’s Twist Again in 1997.
Rider’s point of view: it’s a quick track but a long one as well. You don’t get racing before the open ditch, three from the finish, and you can still be 10 lengths down there and come through. The race only tends to open up between the last two fences.
Best ridden: it’s a very good waiting racecourse, perfect for a Graham Bradley kind of ride, but you can win from the front, too.
Advice for first-timer: keep out of my way!
Other good courses
Garthorpe: a very fast course where the Clerk of the Course does an immaculate job. There are proper changing rooms and the scales are brilliant, which is one of my biggest contentions
Umberleigh: it has a great end-of-season atmosphere
Clifton-On-Dunsmore: I went there last season and it was unbelievable to look at. The ground was all harrowed and perfect, someone had taken a lot of pride in it.
Best commentary: Chris Leigh and Ed Dingle
