Robbie Power relocates to Britain due to Covid-19 travel restrictions

Robbie Power has described opting to relocate to Britain as the toughest decision he has made in racing, with the switch becoming necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider is moving from Ireland due to Covid-19 restrictions stopping him moving freely between Ireland and the UK, as he has done regularly in recent seasons.

Widely regarded as one of the most natural horsemen in the Irish weighing room, the 38-year-old has built up a strong alliance with Colin Tizzard's ever-strengthening operation through his association with the late Ann and Alan Potts.

Power can look forward to riding some of the most exciting horses in Britain from the Dorset yard, but the decision to move was a difficult one.

Power has enjoyed a successful partnership with leading trainer Jessica Harrington on home soil and will leave his wife Hannah and two-year-old daughter Emma in Ireland while the current restrictions are in place.

Anyone travelling into Ireland must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival, as per national Covid-19 regulations.

Robbie Power: has enjoyed considerable success through his partnership with Colin Tizzard in recent seasonsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"These are strange times and this is probably the toughest decision I've had to make in racing, especially having to leave your family behind, but it's one that has to be made the way things are at the moment," said Power.

"It's an exciting time too, the Tizzards have a fantastic team of horses and there's a lot to look forward to in the winter."

Power has no shortage of stellar ammunition to look forward to over the coming months, including the likes of Gold Cup third Lostintranslation, Tolworth Hurdle hero Fiddlerontheroof and The Big Breakaway, who finished fourth in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle to Envoi Allen.

As Jessica Harrington's Flat string goes from strength to strength, her jumps operation appears to be taking a less prominent role, despite some quality performers still residing in her yard.

The pair have enjoyed considerable success with the likes of Sizing John, Our Duke, Supasundae and Magic Of Light in recent years.

Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power embrace after their Cheltenham Gold Cup victory with Sizing JohnCredit: Patrick McCann

The popular rider, who has also teamed up successfully with owner Brian Acheson's Robcour operation in Ireland, has won 11 Grade 1s for Tizzard since April 2017.

Power said: "I was very happy doing what I was doing previously, I had the best of both worlds in terms of riding good horses in Ireland and England.

"It was never in my mindset to move over, but the way restrictions are at the moment you have to go where the quality is, meaning I have to move over for the moment anyway.

"I have the owners I ride for, and I'd imagine I'll ride the majority of the horses, but there's nothing set in stone and we'll see how we go from there. Jessie and I have parted on good terms.

"I can still come back to Ireland for Grade 1 races under the current protocols so hopefully I'll be back for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, where Chris's Dream might run."

Power spent three weeks on the sidelines this summer due to breaking a bone in his foot at Tramore in August and will aim to get off to a flying start on Thursday at Ffos Las, partnering Shybairnsgetnowt in the concluding bumper for Tizzard.

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