PNicholls

Harry has come a long way since having his first ride in a point-to-point on Takeroc in December, and I am proud to say that he will be having his first ride as a professional when partnering that horse at Ascot on Saturday.

But is he being a touch premature in turning professional, and what difference will that make in practice?

Clearly, Harry has impressed everyone this season, and is a credit to himself and to the family - for those that don't know he is my sister Julie's son, and therefore obviously my nephew - and the way he has conducted himself since finishing his exams and working here full time.

People will see what he has done on the track, but he is a hard-working lad in the stables who is treated no different to anyone else in the yard. But he clearly has talent and really impressed in riding the likes of Takeroc, and obviously the high-profile victory of Brampour in the Greatwood on Sunday, this season.

So we have taken the decision for him to turn professional; he may just as well get paid for his ability.

But the logic behind turning professional clearly goes much deeper than that. He has learned so much from pony racing, pointing and hunter chasing in a relatively short space of time, and we will now use his 7lb claim to our advantage, and we will look to avoid those dodgy novice chasers.

We will mind him and take it steady for a couple of years, and look to progress him. He is light and fit, and the potential is there for all to see. It is up to us a team to maximise that potential.

And I would like to say a big thank you to John Hales, who has put his trust in Harry and agreed to give him the ride on Neptune Collonges in the Hennessy.

A lot of people said that he looked like Ruby on Brampour. And while there could be no higher praise, I wouldn't get that carried away just yet! But I have spoken to Ruby about him and he agrees that this is the right thing to do. And you have to remember that Ruby has been helping Harry since he was 10 years old.

On the reverse side, James Cowley has switched back to an amateur to get more experience. He is a potentially very good, but another season pointing and hunter chasing will see him gain some invaluable experience.

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