Jamie Spencer looks forward to Investec Oaks Day at Epsom

Epsom is basically like Chester in that if you are riding the right horses you look forward to it, if you’re riding horses with no chance it’s a horrible experience. It’s all about the horses that you’re riding. If you’re on a moderate horse going backwards it’s like bowling pins you just get wiped out by the horses going by you. As the horse gets tired it just can’t keep its balance.

When you’re riding a good horse that’s travelling well around Epsom it’s like everything happens in slow motion. When you ride a horse that’s not travelling well and you have to squeeze and push, it’s like when you’re running downhill and you’re going too fast for your legs and you start nearly kicking yourself up the backside. You literally feel like you’re going to fall over. That’s what it’s like when you’re not travelling well around Epsom and you’re not balanced and it feels uncomfortable.

In the first I ride a really nice filly Just The Judge in the 1.35pm. At Goodwood last year she stumbled coming out of the stalls in the Nassau and ripped half her foot off and basically came back with no shoe and most of her hoof missing. So there was an excuse there. She then had to heal and get over that and then she just wasn’t right in her last run and you’ve just got to forgive her that. But before that she was second in the 1000 Guineas, won the Irish Guineas and then third in the Coronation Stakes all in the space of a few weeks, and possibly that took it out of her and in the second half of the season she just wasn’t as good. But she still had excuses for the poor form in the second half of the season. So I’m not too bothered about that.

On her first run this season she finished fifth of nine and ran adequately without being too exciting but it was a good race against the colts. At home she has been a little bit lethargic this year but when she went to Epsom the other morning she worked with her lead horse that she normally beats a length or a length and a half and she absolutely hammered him. Going to the track was a good idea to as it lit her up and she is going really well. I’m really looking forward to riding her. I think she’s got a big chance. Thistle Bird ran well enough at York but I thought she’d run better. The race sets-up nicely for Just The Judge. There’s pace there and she should get a nice position, she travels well and she’s well balanced so you’d have to be very, very hopeful.

In the 2.10pm I ride Charles Camoin and he would have a good each way chance. He’s won at the meeting before and looks well handicapped on a mark he’s won off before. I think Soviet Rock is the one to beat. He’s a decent horse and he clearly needed his first run and then won last time.

In the 3.20pm I ride Trail Blaze for Kevin Ryan but he’ll struggle from draw 16. We’ll do our best but it’s nigh on impossible to win from there unless you’re really well handicapped. Kevin’s a good friend and I was delighted with him winning the French Derby last week with The Great Gatsby. He deserved it as for one he’s a really good bloke but number two he’s got to where he is without treading on anyone’s toes or nicking anyone’s owners. He’s driven but he’s a fellow with good morals. Some people just want to get to the top regardless of what they have to do to get there, but you never hear anyone saying anything negative about Kevin Ryan. So I was really pleased for Kevin and hopefully now people will realise he’s not just a sprint-trainer and he’ll get more horses to compete in races like last weekend.

Inchila who I ride in the Investec Oaks at 4.00pm was in season last time when she ran at Newbury. She’s going to follow them round and she’ll take her time and if they go hard she could pick up the pieces and get a place. She’s that sort of filly. She travels really strongly. If you watch the Newbury race she was the last one off the bridle. So if she followed them round and it all went well she could nick third but even that would exceed our wildest dreams.

I thought Taghrooda had to have a good chance. Simply on pedigree alone she’s bred for the race. Marvellous was impressive in Ireland but there is a chance that they all got racing too soon there and the race just fell into her lap. Also she had a tough enough race. I know Ryan said she galloped up to the boards past the winning line and was the last to pull up, but it was just twelve days ago and on very deep ground. It’s a big ask and there’s a small stamina doubt on her dam side. Taghrooda has been aimed at the race and everything has gone smoothly. Ok the form hasn’t worked out but you can only beat what’s put in front of you and she was very impressive at the Guineas meeting. She’s out of a Derby winner and her Dam won at up to a mile and 6 furlongs and was quite good. Everything points to her stamina but she’s also never looked short of pace in her races either. If I had the pick of them all I would like to ride Taghrooda.

Nakuti is probably handicapped out of it in the 5.20pm. She’s 10lbs higher than when she won recently. I thought Legend Rising did well at Chester to win and has to have a squeak again. Jamie