TOM O’Ryan was nearly always the first person I bumped into at the northern tracks. We would often be among the first to arrive, given I had to spend time in the sauna and Tom would be preparing for the day ahead. And now he won’t be there and it’s going to leave a massive hole in my life, and also for racing.

It is such sad news and very difficult to get my head around.

Tom was a great help when I started out as apprentice to Mick Easterby. More than anything he taught me how to conduct myself as a jockey from interpreting the formbook, discussing tactics, walking the track, dealing with trainers and owners, and of course the media.

It was actually Tom who put me forward for ride of the year after I’d won the Zetland Gold Cup on Blue Spinnaker in 2004. He always had time for everyone and I never heard a bad word spoken of Tom.

I used to ring him for a chat quite regularly. He was so knowledgeable and took a real interest in how my career was going. I only saw him a few weeks back when he interviewed me after a winner at Catterick and I can’t believe he’s gone so quickly.

No doubt Tom would have been at Beverley today, where I have five rides, the pick of which looks to be Ode To Evening in the totepool Live Info Download The App Handicap.

He was good enough to finish fifth in the Coventry last season and won a very competitive handicap at the July Festival. He reappears quickly after finishing down the field at York but this represents an easier task and he’ll be hard to beat.

I ride another of Mark Johnston’s, Baileys Apprentice, in the Going For Gold EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes. She improved on her debut when coming third over course and distance and should be in the shake-up.

Long Awaited looks well handicapped in the totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap, while Alejandro has course and distance winning form which is important at Beverley and is another who has been dropping down the handicap. It would be no surprise to see him reach the frame in the @totepool Follow Us On Twitter Handicap.

Groundworker has got the ideal draw of one in the totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap and I rode a winner for Paul Midgely on Thursday which bodes well.

I’ve only been to Germany once before when I led up Emma Peel for Brian Meehan at Baden Baden in 1999. John Egan rode her that day and it was a winning trip which hopefully bodes well. I am back at the track to ride the Owen Burrows-trained Markaz in the Group Two Goldene Peitsche.

I’m really pleased to get back on him following our win in the Chipchase at Newcastle. I’m flying over from Heathrow with Freddie Tylicki, who rides Divine, tomorrow morning. I think we’ve got a great chance.

Paul is sponsored by Racing UK, which shows every race live from the leading 34 racecourses in the UK - and all in glorious HD. Please visit racinguk.com/join for more.