Hurricane Fly still looks the one to beat in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival He normally improves for a run and he needs to improve a lot if he is to provide any sort of competition for Hurricane Fly. Instead of Sandown I am off to Ffos Las where Oscara Dara (2.05) is my main ride in the William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle. He won well last time at Kempton but has gone up a stone in the weights since so has a lot more on his plate. The ground at Ffos Las in mid-January was probably the deepest I have ever ridden on. I dare say it is something to do with the fact that it is new ground combined with unfeasible amounts of rain this winter. It was not unsafe and we all went pretty steady but it is very specialist and not many horses can handle it. Oscara Dara should not mind it and the track will suit him. The one to beat would be Taneko Emery who is owned by Dai Walters, who built the track, and, one imagines, has been laid out for this by David Pipe. Mister W K (1.30) won a bumper well and should take all the beating in the novice hurdle. The Bear Trap (3.45) is another I have high hopes for. He won very easily over course and distance last time so conditions should hold no fear for him. Consigliere looks like he is in good form but I am optimistic. On the other hand I am very unconfident of Titchwood (4.20) in the maiden hurdle. He won a bumper at Ffos Las but is no superstar and might be best avoided. Internationalapeal (4.50) has experience and will go on the ground but he has Heath hunter to beat. The last time I went to Ffos Las I took Mark Pougatch, the Radio 5 Live presenter, with me for a programme which is going out this Tuesday at 7.30 called A Different Breed; The Life Of A Jump Jockey. He came schooling with me at Brendan Powell's first thing and finished his day with a meal cooked for him Chez McCoy. He wanted to ask me questions about racing, as a passionate Arsenal fan, I was keener to ask him all about football. Tony McCoy is in line to add to his record number of jockey "Oscars" at the 23rd annual Stobart Lesters. The 17-times champion already has 18 awards, and has been nominated for the Ride of the Year on Synchronised in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Jump Jockey of the Year. The awards will be announced on March 28.