Jamie Spencer likes his chances in the Old Newton Cup

The Grey Gatsby missed the Eclipse because of the ground. There’s just not point running him on soft ground. So I decided to head to Haydock rather than Sandown as I have three solid chances up there.

I ride Carnachy in the 2.15. She won a Listed race earlier in the season. She’s running in a Group 2 but it doesn’t look that strong. She was third last time out and missed her latest start because the ground was too quick. There are two things in her favour today; she likes the soft ground and I rode her on Wednesday and she felt in real good form. She was bouncing, really fresh and well. It looks a good race for her. Obviously Endless Time looks the one to beat on the book but my filly goes there with a really good chance. There are a few in the race that wouldn’t be certain to like the ground.

In the Old Newton Cup I’m on Desert Encounter at 2.50. He’s won his last four and has been out up 5lbs for winning last weekend. I don’t think that rise would stop him completely. He likes soft ground and a mile and half, and there is improvement in him. He takes his time in his races and wears a hood today. He wore a hood for the first time last week and it seemed to help him settle better.   There are a lot of exposed horses in the race and he is one of the few that isn’t totally exposed. Off a rating of 96 it won’t be easy but you’d have to like his chances.

I then ride Foresight in the 4.35. He’ll love the ground in fact un-raceable ground would be ideal for him. He’s by Dream Ahead and has an extravagant action. He’s a three year old first time in a handicap, so it’s not easy off his mark, but I think the ground will be a big help to him. It was good ground at Windsor last time and he just couldn’t quicken off it, but on this ground he should be able to show his best. David Simcock’s horses are in really good form.

I then go to Nottingham to ride Rubensian in the 7.15. It’s a Classified Stakes and he meets a couple of these a bit wrong at the weights but David is happy enough with the horse and says he’s going well. I thought the James Fanshawe horse, Pointel, was the one to beat. I hope David isn’t sending me there for nothing. He mentioned to me on Wednesday would I go down to Nottingham to ride him and it’s on my way home.

At Sandown I think Brando should go well if it keeps raining as he likes a bit of juice in the ground. It doesn’t look the strongest of races. There’s a good bit of pace in the race which will suit him.