Jamie Spencer says Taurean Star has a good chance of winning

My first ride on a busy day today is Alcazar in the 2.10 at Ascot. He won well at Newcastle last time. I don’t think he was suited by the surface and I’m hoping to see even better on the faster ground today. I think you’ll see a better horse today but it’s a much deeper, stronger race. It would be great if we got placed. I wouldn’t be expecting much more than that on what he’s done so far.

In the Princess Margaret at 2.45 I’m on Marie Of Lyon for Richard Fahey. I know Richard likes this filly. She won well at York first time out but then she got bogged down on soft ground at Newmarket. Hopefully back on fast ground she’ll have a good chance. Obviously Fair Eva is the talking horse in the race. Her Haydock win has worked out so well, and my filly has ground to make up with her on a couple of form lines. It will be a good race and certainly interesting to watch.

Taurean Star, my ride in the 3.20, has got a genuine squeak. He ran very well in the Britannia finishing ninth, and then ran back at Lingfield the other day finishing third. With this weight he goes there with a decent chance. He needs to relax and take his time, and if he gets a good pace to run at, he should have a really good chance of winning.

In the International at 3.55 I ride another horse for Richard Fahey, Nuno Tristan. He won the other day and has gone up 4lbs, but it’s a £150,000 handicap so you’ve got to go for these races if you can get in them. I don’t know much about the horse but Richard’s horses are in great form so that’s encouraging in itself. I know Monteverdi well who has scraped in at the bottom, a couple of pounds out of the handicap. This is a hard race for a three year old to win.

Then I ride Second Step in the King George. It’s not the strongest renewal I’ve ever seen. Second Step needs to get back to his best form. He was a little disappointing last time out. He ran OK at Epsom. Given the ground is good to firm at Ascot, I thought Highland Reel would be very hard to beat. Everything is in his favour. He has a nice draw, there isn’t much pace in the race, so he looks to be the one.

I then head to Salisbury for three rides. I ride Pass The Cristal for Willie Muir in the 6.50. He ran well first time out at Ascot, and it doesn’t look a great race. I thought Mick Channon’s horse Texas Katie was the one to beat.

I’m on Sirajiah for William Haggas in the 7.20. She’s been second four times in a row so hopefully we can break that run. It’s a bit of a watching brief. I’ve ridden Menai before and he’s not a bad horse. We have him to beat. If she can get it together then I’m sure she’ll have a good chance.

Then I ride King Cole in the 8.20. He ran well at Wolverhampton but things just didn’t pan out his way. He’s a nice horse. This is just under seven furlongs and I’m sure he’ll stay that well. I’m really looking forward to riding him. I think he’s a horse for the future. He’s the reason I’m riding at Salisbury. He’s got lots of potential and I’m excited about him. At Ascot my best chance would probably be Taurean Star.

I have a few nice chances at Goodwood next week. Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup is one of my best rides. He’s back to defend his crown from last year and we are very happy with him at home. The Cashel Man runs on Wednesday and should have a good chance.