I came here knowing I had a great chance to win the Derby but I knew I had an even better one when I saw Werther in the paddock. I was really impressed with how he presented before the race. He’d looked well the last couple of times I rode him but he just seemed brighter today, there was just a gloss to him that hadn’t been there before.

The blinkers on him had been a question mark with me. I know John wouldn’t have them on him if he didn’t think he needed them, but when I rode him in the Classic Cup, I wouldn’t say he overraced but he just travelled a bit too strongly after I’d made a bit of use of him early to get a position. That was the mistake I’d made last time so, coming into the race today, that was my concern.

I thought the most important thing was for me to switch him off, get him to relax, and I thought if he did that then he would win.

So the gates opened, he jumped and I let him use his speed at first to take a spot. But as other horses were going forward and coming around us and there was a bit happening and the pressure built up, he wanted to go. Actually, he would have gone and led if I’d let him so I had to wrestle him back to me.

Once I got cover, I was fine but there was still a bit of hustle and bustle around us until the 1,400m mark and I was trying to hold my spot but I was also very conscious of trying to keep him happy at the same time.

To me, that was a pivotal part of the race going down the back of the course. Then Karis Teetan came off the fence on Eastern Express and he took my spot behind Blizzard, which was not ideal and really the only time in the race I was concerned. I was one place further back than I wanted, and behind a horse I didn’t want to follow. But then the pace slackened up front, Karis was forced to go three wide so he didn’t get on the leaders’ heels and I was able to take up the vacant position that opened up and I followed Blizzard again.

Werther was travelling beautifully and all I thought I had to do from there was bide my time and let my horse get into his rhythm. By the time we turned for home, I was going that well that I just took the option to pull out and make sure I was in clear room. I didn’t even stoke him up, just let him go through his gears and the horse did the rest.

Considering the way he let down, I must say I was surprised that Zac Purton’s horse was even able to go with him and we had a good battle. I don’t know whether we brushed, but if we did, it didn’t affect my horse and I thought I was always holding him even though it was close.

Werther deserved that win. I thought he was unlucky in the Classic Mile, slightly disappointing but with an excuse in the Classic Cup when he was a touch keen but he showed what he could do today.

As told to Alan Aitken