Revitalised Byrne owes so much to the patience of Smith

Offered the ride on the durable The Kew Tour at Cartmel for Sue Smith, and her show-jumper husband Harvey, Byrne grabbed at the chance. Disillusioned at Tom George’s yard in the West Country, he needed a change of luck to kick-start his career.

And, while the horse finished seventh out of 10 runners, it did not stop Byrne picking up the phone two days later to ask for some more opportunities at the Smith’s stables on Bingley Moor.

“It was cheeky, but why not?” said the rider.

Since then, this likeable Irish-born jockey has become an adopted Yorkshireman as he has honed his skills at the Smith stable on horses as talented as the versatile Stagecoach Pearl, the experienced chaser going for Arkle glory.

Having grown up in County Kildare, Byrne said last night that it was “a privilege” to ride in the race that honours Arkle.

He recalls, with palpable pride, how his late father Liam – who he says “will be watching with pride from up above” – told stories about Arkle’s brilliance. And, while Byrne is the least experienced rider in a select field, he hopes that his two wins on Stagecoach Pearl this season will pay off in this two-mile speed test where jumping will be at an absolute premium.

“Just having a ride – whatever happens – means a lot,” said the 23-year-old jockey, who will travel to Cheltenham in the horse box.

“Growing up, you dream about riding big races. Now the reality is kicking in – but I can’t thank the Smith’s enough for keeping faith with me.

“Stagecoach Pearl’s attitude is his best asset. He jumps from fence to fence. And, given the frenetic speed of the race, his experience is vital – he’s had the experience while several others have only had a couple of runs over fences. That gives me hope.”

Byrne is also buoyed by his win on 80-1 chance Alta Rock at Market Rasen on Sunday. He was so far in arrears that the horse’s odds drifted to 1,000-1 before passing six horses, after the final flight, to prevail.

And, while the Smith horses are usually ridden from the front, this appreciation of pace is recognition of Byrne’s progress – even though his ‘boy band’ looks suggest a career with Irish pop group Westlife might have been a more lucrative vocation.

While Nicky Henderson has high hopes for Finian’s Rainbow, who prevailed over Stagecoach Pearl at Warwick last month, Alan King believes Medermit can deliver him a third Arkle after Voy Por Ustedes (2006) and My Way De Solzen (2007).

It was difficult to envisage the horse winning at the Festival after he refused at Huntingdon, but his recent defeat of the reopposing Captain Chris at Sandown marks him down as the one to beat. “Everyone knows that I rate Medermit our best chance of the week,” said King.