No need now for jockeys to starve themselves Dr Philip Pritchard, who was closely involved in this research, has always been a professional to whom I and other jockeys have turned. He knows what is best for jockeys and what is required to improve and progress. I have found his mature approach to our problems really reassuring. It helps having somebody to talk to who has ridden in races himself and who knows what we professional jockeys are going through on some days. Many of us in the jockeys" room are wasting to ride many pounds below our natural weight, but all the while you are doing that you also want to ensure that you are as strong as possible so that you can give your mount every possible chance in a race. If you make the weight but are too weak to ride properly, the whole exercise has been a waste of time. I can assure you that the jockeys are very grateful to the Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival for being involved in the partnership that funds the project. Without the funding I doubt the research would have been done. It is important to all of us, but especially those, who have no real knowledge of the subject. I hope that future generations of jockeys will think that it was worth it. There are many tough sides to being a jockey. Injury is something we all dread, but spending lengthy periods in the bath or the sauna just to shed a few pounds can be an exhausting and draining experience. It follows that if you are receiving the right nutrients and giving your body every chance to recover, then no lasting damage should be done. But for many, it is a long road, and we all need assistance at some stage. Next week is a rarity for most in our profession - we have three consecutive days off. I know there will be couple of the boys who will argue that it is easier to keep the weight off if you are fully occupied, but I for one will be making the most of my mini-break. Luckily, I do not have any light rides over Christmas, so it I will be able to eat Christmas dinner, just like everybody else. I will not be going mad, but it will be a nice experience to eat some turkey and the trimmings, without having to worry how much you are going to weigh when you step on to the scales the next day. At Fishers Cross should get his season back on track My day at Ascot on Saturday revolves around just one horse, At Fishers Cross (2.25). I ride four others, but if this one gets beaten I will be extremely disappointed as he is so talented. He lost his chance at Newbury last time when he made a complete mess of the second-last and our mission is to get back on track for Cheltenham. As he normally jumps well I am convinced it was a blip at Newbury. City Slicker (3.35) has a chance but we all know that this is one of the most competitive handicaps of the season and so it should be for the money. He is clearly in top form, which you need to be in a race like this. Pendra (1.50) should have an each-way chance but O'Faolains Boy (1.15) may struggle against more experienced rivals. Josies Orders (12.45) needs to improve to win.