In his exclusive column, the champion Flat jockey discusses a busy weekend at Newmarket, Chelmsford, Bath, Newbury and Wolverhampton
Newmarket on Thursday
I’ve got three rides for Mick [Channon] at Newmarket on Thursday on the final day of the Craven meeting.
Summer Icon goes in the opening fillies’ maiden (2.10pm). She is yet to win in seven career starts but did run well over course and distance in October to finish second.
It’s difficult to know what you’re taking on in these races.
I won on Harlequeen at Goodwood last year and she takes her chance in the Tattersalls Millions (3.20pm) which is a very valuable race.
She’s a really nice filly, but the question mark is that she hasn’t run for a long time.
It’s a very tough contest and if it was softer I would be slightly more confident. It was soft at Goodwood but the ground dries very quickly on the Rowley Mile.
The same applies to Mobsta in the Abernant (3.55pm) really. He likes soft ground and it’s just a shame conditions aren’t what they were like on Tuesday.
This is a better race than last time and it’s going to be interesting to see how he runs. He’ll need to improve again, but he’s one of my best rides over the next few days.
Chelmsford on Thursday
I’m at Chelmsford for five rides on Thursday evening and Second Serve looks like my best chance.
It’s a competitive little race but he ran well at Lingfield last week behind one of Sir Michael Stoute’s. Hopefully he can break his maiden tag in this.
Bath on Friday
Opera Buff is my first ride in the staying handicap at Bath (4.50pm) on Friday.
This isn’t a great race and he’s been a little bit out of form. It would be nice to see him run well and hopefully the return to turf will be in his favour.
Willsy won two starts back at Kempton and should have an each-way chance in the six-furlong handicap (5.50pm).
Mick’s horses have been running well so far this season and, although this is a competitive race, she should run well.
I don’t know much about Billy’s Boots who makes his debut in the maiden (6.50pm). Anything can happen in races like this so let’s hope he runs well.
Newbury on Saturday
I’m at Newbury on Saturday where I ride Star Blaze for Mick in the first (1.35pm).
I haven’t sat on him before and the question mark will be the ground as it’s going to be heavy.
Czabo runs in the Dubai Duty Free (2.40pm). This is a very hot race taking on Besharah who won the Lowther last year. She is going to be very hard to beat.
I won on Czabo at this course over six furlongs last summer, but this is a big step up in class and she’ll need to improve a lot.
The main thing in Lincoln’s favour in the Spring Cup (3.50pm) is the ground.
His best form is probably over seven, but because he’s been a bit out of form he’s slipped down the weights a little.
This is his first start of the season and he’s been contesting some top races. I won’t be surprised if he pops up at a big price one day, although I’m not sure if that will be on Saturday.
Wolverhampton on Saturday
I’ll be going up the M6 on Saturday afternoon for five rides at Wolverhampton that evening.
My best chance looks to be Cartographic (8.40pm) for David Evans. I rode him last time out and he ran well to finish second.
He’s a nice horse and it would be great to get a win with him.
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