Jamie Spencer looks ahead to a strong book of rides at Haydock

I ride Gabrial’s King in the first at Haydock. He got put up 3lbs for finishing fourth in the Chester Cup. He travelled like the winner most of the way but he’s always been a bit of tricky horse, he promises plenty but then doesn’t win as many races as he should do. He should have a chance.

In the 2.35pm I’m on Salateen. I rode him when he was third to Elm Park in the Royal Lodge last year. That day the ground was quite quick, and I was making the running, and he changed leads and ran off the rail at the top of the hill, which was out of character for him, and he came back with a bit of an issue. He’s had plenty of time off. It’s a competitive race and Brian Meehan’s horse will be hard to beat but I would like to think that come the Autumn a rating of 101 was a long way from where we think he’ll be. Kevin loves him. He’s by Dutch Art and is really lazy and improved with each run last year. When he won his Nursery he absolutely hosed up, and then he stepped up on that with his run at Newmarket. I’m sure he’ll improve for the run but I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run well.

In the 3.10pm I ride Gathering Power for Eddie Lynam. She was second in this race last year. She’s had the one run this season not beaten far in the Duke of York. In that running she should have a good chance in this. We know Eddie Lynam is good with his sprinters, and she must have a great chance. We know she handles the track and handles the ground. Fingers crossed.

In the Temple Stakes at 3.45pm I ride Great Minds for Fozzy Stack. He’s won four of his last five starts and is very lightly raced. He actually beat Maarek giving him weight at Naas. He’s rated 106 and is probably one of the outsiders but I like where he’s drawn, close to Hot Streak and Goldream. He’ll park up close to the leaders and see where that takes him. I spoke to Fozzy Stack yesterday morning and he’d flown over to walk the track so he’s taking it very seriously. He thinks he’s got a chance.

I ride Distant Past in the 4.20pm. He’s won his two starts this year. He’s a huge big horse, stepping up in trip. So far he’s been grinding out his races and he’ll like the ground as it was too quick last time at Doncaster. He’s up another 6lbs in the weights so whether he can beat the handicapper is the thing but I hope he can put up a good show. He always tries hard.

Looking at the Irish 200 Guineas, it looks like a gimme for Gleneagles. I can’t see how Ivawood can turn round the form. In the Irish 1000 Guineas, Found has the strongest form from last year but I do like Bocca Baciata. I like her a lot. She won well at Navan and Fran Berry is very keen on her. Found’s run last time was pretty disappointing.

In the Tattersalls Gold Cup, The Grey Gatsby runs. He’s been training well and looks magnificent when I’ve been up at Kevin’s. He has the younger legs over Al Kazeem. Everything’s gone smoothly with him. Al Kazeem has run well on his two starts so it should be a good race to watch.

Jamie