Autumn's here. and with it the National Hunt season proper...at last. No more of that silly flat racing (other than the execrable all weather rubbish). Real racing. (Just about the only reason I wouldn't rather live in the US than here is the absence of any worthwile NH racing. And cricket.)

I'm in a good mood. AP McCoy missed yesterday due to a suspension, and had three rides at Worcester today, not one of which was for Martin Pipe. Not so much a hint as an instruction. They won at 2/1, 13/8 and 5/6. Talk about buying money.

Anyway, Spring Dawn is bucking and kicking, to quote Nicky Henderson, and Mick Fitzgerald (who yesterday rode his 1000th winner) says he wants to ride him in all his races this season, as he's a natural chaser. All we need now is some rain to ease the ground. Assuming that comes, he should run in two or three weeks. I'll keep you posted.

(BTW, Nicky says Fondmort has "an outstanding chance" in the Paddy Power Chase on Saturday. He's about 6/1 at the moment.)