Don’t miss 32Red ambassador Jamie Spencer’s latest column as he talks through his Saturday rides at Haydock and early Royal Ascot thoughts
Jamie Spencer talks through his rides on Saturday where he has rides at York and then talks Justify and his Triple Crown
The multi-award winning online casino are the most prolific sponsor of British Racing. Every week at the you can read Brand Ambassadors Jamie Spencer, Josephine Gordon and Luke Morris’ thoughts on their prominent rides and the hot topics in Flat Racing, as well as get unrivalled access to Jump’s biggest names in Paddy Brennan and Adrian Heskin.
IT was great to get a good win on God Given last weekend.
I’ve been riding a few nice winners recently – that Haydock Group 3 was the best of them – so I’m heading into Royal Ascot in decent form. It all helps give you a bit more confidence.
And I’m happy my main supporters David Simcock and Luca Cumani are firing in the winners at the right time.
I’ve just got the two rides up at York today. CLEVER COOKIE (3.00) is a good old boy – safe as houses.
They don’t get any quicker when they get to his age but he’s been well handled by Peter Niven. He’s minded him all his career and that’s why he’s still racing at 10 years of age.
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He won this race in 2015 and has plenty of track form. I rode him in the stayers’ race on Champions’ Day at Ascot last year and he ran well.He doesn’t want to be in front too soon so I’ll ride him to be placed and see how it goes. Ryan Moore’s mount Marmelo is the one to beat.
My other ride is GREAT PROSPECTOR (3.35) for Richard Fahey.
He looked a nice horse last year and drops in grade having run in Listed races over further this season. He has plenty of weight but I can see him running well.
The return to sprinting won’t be a problem – he was second in the big sales race over this trip at the Ebor Meeting at this track last year.
York can get to horses as they go a long way from the stables to the track. It’s all part and parcel of the test – if they boil over it’s no good.
I’ve ridden plenty of winners for Richard over the years. He’s a good bloke and a top trainer. He consistently has stacks of winners and, luckily, I always ride a few of them.
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I go to France tomorrow to ride GLENDOVAN (2.20) for Richard Hughes in a Group 3 at Chantilly.
He was fourth in the Heron Stakes on ground that was too soft. He needs to step forward but if the ground is drier I can see him going well.
It was great to see Justify win the Triple Crown in America last weekend and I thought my old friend Gronkowski ran very well to chase him home in the Belmont Stakes.
I won three races on him before he went to be trained in America.
He’s always been a powerful horse. He never really had a turn of foot so it was always going to be to his benefit stepping up in trip on dirt. It’s the horse who slows down the least rather than the one that quickens up that wins the race on dirt.
Finally, don’t forget to read my column in The Favourite every day of Royal Ascot. Hopefully, I’ll have some winners for you.
