‘I would very rarely eat before I race . . . if I’m going racing I won’t eat until the evening’

What did you eat yesterday?
I had a ham and cheese sandwich at lunchtime. And then for dinner I had roast beef, asparagus, corn on the cob, carrots and parsnips and a baked potato. I didn't have breakfast because I never have breakfast. Almost never. Breakfast or lunch, it's one or the other.

What do you eat on race day?
I would very rarely eat before I race. Maybe once in a while but usually I wouldn't. I'd have my normal dinner at night but generally if I'm going racing I won't eat until the evening.

Anything you do without that you miss?
The one thing I miss isn't any particular food. It's more that when you go on holidays and you get used to eating three meals a day, going back to eating twice and sometimes just once a day takes a bit of getting used to. I miss that extra meal once I go back riding.
Favourite place to eat out?
I really like Vie de Chateaux in Naas, a great French place. The Brown Bear in Twomilehouse is very good. And when we're taking the kids out, Kildare Village or Fallon's in Kilcullen are great.

Scale of 1 to 5, do you enjoy cooking?
I would say a four but only if the ingredients are there ready for me. If I have to go shopping for them, if I have to be the one who has to go to the hassle of going to get it all, then my enjoyment level would go way down.

What do you like to cook?
Anything that I can taste as I go. I don't like making a roast because you put it in and then you're sort of hoping for the best that it will come out alright. I rather make a chicken curry or a spaghetti bolognese because that way I can taste it and know what it needs as I go along.