'Ireland are dominating but in a year or two the shoe will be on the other foot'

We've sent our deputy Ireland editor David Jennings to Britain to explore the British jumps scene for a four-part series across Cheltenham's November meeting. In part one, he catches up with two up-and-coming trainers.

The first stage of this Tour de Finding Out What's Going On With British Jump Racing was supposed to start at Ditcheat on Wednesday. The plan was to pop over to see Paul Nicholls after touching down in Birmingham but, you won't believe this, he stood me up. Apparently the Queen called. Something about an OBE. He must think I came down in the last shower.

We have, however, managed to reschedule for a day when Nicholls is not receiving his order of chivalry, so Paul will be joining us later in the series. No more silly excuses please, Paul.