What: The St. Patrick’s Cheltenham Charity Derby in aid of Cancer Research UK
Where: Prestbury Park, Cheltenham
When: Thursday 17th March 2011 at 5.20pm
Who: Jockey – Niamh Flynn, Owner – Aiden Murphy, Trainer – Anabel King
Horse: Dormouse
Time Remaining: Too close!

Knowing that this time next week I will be sitting on the horse that I am riding in the Charity Race, Dormouse, is making me panic slightly! I feel fit, but have I done enough? I won’t know that till it’s all over!

I got time to reflect on Monday on the Table Quiz. It really was a huge success and I managed to exceed the target I had made for myself on donations! By all accounts everyone had a great night, so much so certain staff members from a racing yard I am closely associated with were MIA on Saturday morning!
I rang the prize winners from the raffle too today and it was great to hear their reaction! The weather was so beautiful that evening that I got out for a brisk walk before the sun set!

Tuesday morning I rode out in Gordon Elliott’s before work. Annie Bowles was by my side today. Annie is an expert when it comes to charity races, having won the charity race held at Cheltenham last November on Wikala. I picked Annie’s brains as much as I could for some expert advice. Thanks Annie!

Wednesday was a bit of a write off. I woke feeling a bit under the weather and didn’t improve much throughout the day. When I got home from work I took to the bed. It was probably good too to catch up on some badly needed rest as my days are pretty mental at the minute!

I was back to myself on Thursday and ready to continue with training. I managed to get out for a run this evening. I learnt today that I am 12/1 with Paddy Power for the race. I have a feeling this may drift though closer to the race! I spoke with Aiden Murphy, owner of Dormouse and he informs me that he has come out of the race in great form. I’m looking forward to sitting on him when I touch down at Cheltenham next week!

I was back in Gordon’s on Friday morning. There were a few tired heads this morning after the NUI Maynooth Cheltenham Preview Night in which Capranny was well represented. I rode two lots before heading into Tattersalls Ireland.

On Saturday morning I rode of in Noel Meade’s Tu Va Stables. The staff were really helpful and I got some great advice from Nina Carberry and she showed me some exercises to help strengthen my legs – I felt the pain of it the next morning!
That afternoon I made my way to TRI in the Curragh to invest on some gear for Cheltenham – if I can’t be the part I will definitely look it!

I made my way to Galway on Sunday. This was going to be my last chance to visit home before I head to Cheltenham. I stopped off at Martin Cullinane’s Mount Brown Farm to catch up and then made my way to Galway City where I had to call to Park House Hotel to collect a very generous donation from the owner Kitty. Kitty is familiar with Cheltenham owning Cheltenham Supreme Novice’s winner Go Native so I was delighted to get the support from her. I felt like a celebrity in Galway with people wishing me all the best for Cheltenham. It’s hard to believe now it’s so close!

As I mention every week, I am trying to raise as much money for Cancer Research as I possibly can, but this time I really mean it as the deadline is now only 10 days away. So I am begging everyone, please please make a donation. All sponsorship, how ever small or large is really appreciated. To donate, phone me on 086 1728320, email nflynn@tattersalls.ie, go to your nearest AIB branch and make a lodgment to account no. 93-70-96 1899 7583 or log on to my Just Giving page – http://www.justgiving.com/Niamh-Flynn.

Until next week!

Niamh x