Where: Prestbury Park, Cheltenham
When: St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th
What: Cheltenham St. Patrick’s Day Charity Derby in aid of Cancer Research UK
Who: Jockey – Niamh Flynn, Trainer – Anabel King, Owner – Aiden Murphy
Horse: Dormouse
Amount Raised: £5,000 plus

It’s hard to believe the week has finally arrived. As I write this I am sitting here at my Cheltenham accommodation with one of my house mates for the week – top Point to Point rider, JD Moore. The nerves are kicking in but I’m not sure is it riding in Cheltenham or staying in the same house as JD that’s making me nervous! Hectic week this week and here is how my final week of preparation went!

Before Monday morning arrived, I had a chat with my bosses from Tattersalls Ireland to get the ok for the week ahead to ride out every morning. They were more than accommodating. So Monday morning arrived and it was a quick spin into to Gordon Elliott’s yard for an easy day on the gallop. There is a great buzz about the yard with Gordon having so many Cheltenham hopeful travelling. Karen, Gordon’s travelling head girl even kitted out the lorry with Irish flags to really let everyone know the Irish were en route to dominate Cheltenham.

I headed into Gordon on Tuesday to ride some work. Gordon has given me a great opportunity to gain as much experience as I can before I hit the Cheltenham Hill. I arrived at work to find my beautifully branded Jomiluti Waterproof Suit had arrived – I really look the part now.

I headed to Capranny for one quick lot on Wednesday as I was heading to RACE in Kildare for 10.30am to meet Davy Russell. He kindly offered to give me some last minute tuition on the simulator. I thought things were going according to plan and I was beginning to look like a jockey till Davy saw me. “Bum down, head up, no not your back, and stop balancing on your knees!” These were some of the comments I heard as I attempted to pick up the stick and hit my mechanical horse a few schleps! I really found the session beneficial though and would like to thank Niall at RACE and Davy for his assistance!

Back in Gordon’s on Thursday and Gordon assigned me to one of the horses my opposition Jamie Insole is riding, Fool’s Wildcat. I got a bit of slagging in the yard and had to take it on the chin! I made another one of my local papers today, the Tuam Herald. It’s really nice to get some local support from everyone in Galway!

Busy morning today at Capranny. I watched the Cheltenham team school for the last time before they headed across the Irish Sea. They look super, are jumping out of their skin and let’s hope they can do the business at Cheltenham. I got to ride two pieces of work this morning and Gordon’s instructions were to get down and drive them like I was in the race. It was easier than I thought but the trip was a little shorter and I wasn’t trying to coax them up the Cheltenham Hill! I finished up for the week at work this evening. I have been receiving Good Luck cards from many friends and family and it’s really encouraging to know everyone is supporting me.

Saturday morning I managed to get a full morning in Gordon’s and rode five lots. I got a lot of advice from the “experts” in the yard but some of it was really beneficial. Thank you so much to all at Capranny, Gordon and Annie for all your help over the last six weeks. Capranny is a great place to be able to go in and ride out. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and you never feel like an outsider there! Let’s hope Capranny can do it for the Irish at Cheltenham. The day was followed by a trip to the beauticians to try rectifying the harsh cold morning and weather conditions I have been going through since the training began six weeks ago!

Sunday morning was taken up by packing, and boy did I pack. Everything but the kitchen sink! Thank God Hutton and Meade have given me a jeep to travel to Cheltenham in or I would really be struggling. Off then to Navan to drop boots off to my fellow charity race jock, Frostie Kelly, say my goodbyes and on the road to the ferry. I had never driven outside of Ireland before never mind on to a boat so I got a big thrill! I was joined on the ferry by Rachel Clarke, Joanne Quirke, Gordon, Tom Howley, Mouse O’Ryan and Paul Nolan. The entertainment was great and made the crossing pretty short. The drive the far side wasn’t too bad either, just short of four hours. Off to bed then for an early start in the morning.

And we have arrived at today, Monday March 14th, the day before the 2011 Cheltenham Festival begins. I headed to Anabel King’s yard at Stratford to ride my horse for the race, Dormouse, AKA Mr. Mouse. My first impressions – he is a lot bigger than I expected. But the whole time I was sitting on him he was such a gentleman. He let a few kicks and is in brilliant form and I am really excited about riding him on Thursday.

So that’s it, the last time I write my diary before the big day! I would like to thank everyone that has supported me throughout my preparation. And a massive thank you to all who donated money for Cancer Research. So this is my final plea. I really want to raise more for Cancer Research so I am asking everyone who has been touched by Cancer, who knows me or really wants to support my efforts to make a donation. You can donate by logging onto http://justgiving.com/Niamh-Flynn/ by making a lodgement at your nearest AIB bank to account number 937096 18997583, call me on 086 1728320 or email me – nflynn@tattersalls.ie.

Please cross your fingers for me at 5.20pm on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day to see the result of my preparation!

Thank you!

Niamh x