We had mixed feelings about Synchronised, mixed because we are glad the horse won but annoyed that we had missed out backing him again! My friend Vernon Allen and I spent the day at Jackdaws with the Gold Cup Winner and Jonjo O'Neill and although we got to know everything about him did not back him in the Lexus when 20/1 was available or in the Gold Cup when any price was available. We thought we would share a couple of photos taken that day, apologies for the poor quality as they are just snaps but there is touch of value about them (we think, we hope)...

Although poor quality we thought the photos were a touch atmospheric and worth sharing...

Jonjo and his staff were marvellous to us whilst we there and we saw absolutely everything. It was great to chat to Richie McLernon. At the time we met him we did not realise that he was the nephew of Tommy Carmody, twice Irish Champion Jump Jockey so he has some pedigree. Of course Richie rode Alfie Sherrin to victory at the Cheltenham Festival and The Racing Horse tipped him for our readers at a whopping 20/1. After leaving school, Richie worked with top point-to-point trainer Eugene O’Sullivan in Ireland before joining the team at Jackdaws Castle in the summer of 2007.

Jackdaws Castle is without a doubt one of Europe’s premier training establishments - AP McCoy

The facilities at Jackdaws Castle are something else. Just to have a drink in the Owners’ Suite gave us goosebumps. We did not meet AP however, which was a shame - we noticed a flaw in his riding and wanted to give him some advice about riding a finish! AP McCoy, Champion Jockey and BBC Sports Personality of the Year said about the place: "Jackdaws Castle is without a doubt one of Europe’s premier training establishments, you really do have to see it to believe it." We agreed with the sentiments of Brough Scott when he said: "To visit Jonjo O’Neill and the team at Jackdaws Castle has been one of the pleasures of a lifetime." It was exactly that…