Jamie Spencer looks forward to five rides on day two at Royal Ascot

Yesterday was a nearly day. Areen ran a blinder in the Windsor Castle but just came up short be a head to a good horse. Today I have a really nice book of rides with some good chances.

In the Jersey Stakes I ride Volatile. He’s run well on all surfaces but this is a tough task for my horse. Richard Hughes is very confident in Ivawood but he has a 5lb penalty to carry. That’s never a gimme. Because of the new race, The Commonwealth Stakes later in the week, this probably isn’t the strongest race. Ivawood got the trip well enough in Ireland in the Guineas. Back at seven and dropped in class he ought to win but I can’t see him winning by 5 lengths.  At a big price I can see Hathal running well.

In the Queen Mary I’m on Little Voice who got beat last time at Bath. A lot of Charlie Hills’ horses have run well first time and then not improved on their next start. I thought she was a good thing at Bath and she got beaten. It’s back to the drawing board. Hopefully she’ll run well. It’s quite an open race. The one I do like is Michael Dods horse Easton Angel. If it was trained by a bigger name trainer it would be a much shorter price.

In the Duke of Cambridge Integral has had a run behind her which is good. She got tired in the Lockinge but ran really well. She has a 5lb penalty but she should win. She has won Group 1s  and she is better than these.

I ride The Grey Gatsby in The Prince Of Wales Stakes. His two runs this year haven’t been at the same level as last season. However he’s a big strong horse and he’s taken a long time to come to hand. He probably needed his run in Dubai but had a hard trip, so then he started again and needed his run in Ireland. He’s now the same weight as he was when he won the Irish Champion Stakes last year. We know where we are with him. I’m a big fan of Free Eagle but as he’s had a setback he may need the race. He may not be at full match fitness. My horse has a big chance.

In the Royal Hunt Cup I’m on Speculative Bid. He went up 10lbs for his last win. The beauty of this race though is that there’s only a few pounds that covers the field. It’s a tight handicap and doesn’t leave much room for unexposed horses. My horse has gone up 10lbs but he’s improving and he’s got confidence from winning three races.  I can see him running a huge race. My big worry would be how firm the ground is. GM Hopkins was a bit unlucky last time so he would be the danger. With my horse there are no dramas. You just drop him out and get him relaxed. It’s simple.