Jamie Spencer hoping The Grey Gatsby can go one better than last year
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I ride Dragon Mall for David Simcock in the Jersey Stakes at 2.30pm. He ran very well on his first start, and we thought this race would fit really well for him. But he had one run on Good to Soft last year and he didn’t perform. That was probably the only disappointing run of his career when he was fifth at Newmarket. So I would be a little bit worried about the ground. However if it’s not too bad then he’d go there with an each way chance at a big price because he’ll love a big field and he’ll love a straight track.
In the Queen Mary at 3.05pm I ride Kocollada. She’s run twice and won twice and clearly hasn’t done anything wrong. She won a Listed race at Musselburgh the other day. I don’t know anything about her but she’s one of Richard Fahey’s and they like her. So we’ll just have to see how she goes. It looks an okay Queen Mary. A lot will depend on Lady Aurelia and how she handles the ground.
The Grey Gatsby is my big ride of the day in the Prince of Wales at 4.20pm. He’s got a good draw in one. Obviously A Shin Shikari will bowl along and go a good gallop, which will make it a simple race. I can’t see it being majorly tactical. We’ve got the Japanese horse to beat. His last two starts have been very impressive. I was unlucky in last year’s but there was no pace in the race and was drawn one as well. The ground would be a concern for my horse if it kept raining, but if it stays the same then it won’t be too bad for him. From the five furlong pole it will be better ground and we’ll see how he comes home from there. He’s an older horse so should be able to handle Good to Soft. I would love to win this race on this horse for Kevin and the owner. Last year he took on Golden Horn and gave him 11lbs in the Coral-Eclipse and he put it up to him for a long way up the straight. We know he’s a good horse and Kevin has him in really good shape. I sat on him about two weeks ago and he felt really good in a racecourse gallop. The horse is really fresh and well, and he looks good, and he’s come forward this spring as well, so there are no real excuses.
In the Royal Hunt Cup I ride Glory Awaits. He is what he is and ran well last time. He’s come down the handicap and is an experienced older horse so he’ll have an outsider’s chance.
