Jamie Spencer with thoughts on his five rides at Chester today

When it comes to riding at Chester you either love it or you hate it. I enjoy riding there. It’s a good test for the horse and the rider. It’s also a good fun meeting to ride at and all the better if you have a winner or two.

I’ve a decent book of rides this week with plenty of good chances. There are no steering jobs and obviously you’re going to need a load of luck but if I can get one or two winners on the board I’ll be happy.

I ride Banzari in the 2.40pm at Chester. She’s taken a bit of time to come to hand this spring. She’s been a bit woolly in her coat. But the last couple of weeks she has come forward. She’s been working nicely without working the house down. I think the step up in trip will be a big help to her. She ran well in the May Hill at Doncaster running on well over a mile, and then won her maiden easily. Being by Motivator the mile and a half should play to her strengths. Diamondsandrubies the Aidan O’Brien filly is the big danger but she’s by Fastnet Rock, whose offspring often like decent ground.  I know she won on soft ground at Tipperary but this is tougher so it will be interesting to see how she goes.

In the Chester Cup I’m on Angel Gabrial who I came second on last year. He’s 15lbs higher this year but the draw will be a big help. Given the amount of rain they’ve had it will make carrying the big weight even harder. But all you can do is try and if he gets a clean run round and a nice position, it’s a big help. We’ll see where that takes us. It’s a nice race to ride in. Basically you have to be very proactive at the start, get a good break and a good position because where you are passing the post first time will be where you’ll then be for most of the next circuit. Nothing changes as the race settles down so the draw is a big thing. I’m looking forward. My horse has a chance. Quick Jack has an obvious chance but he’s creeping up the weights too.

My mount Piazon in the 3.45pm will love the ground. He had a pipe opener at Epsom the other day. He didn’t like the track. He’s a horse, with the ground the way it is, that should have a squeak. Just Ching will probably struggle in the 4.20pm and is one that will come into the reckoning in handicaps.

4.55pm Lucky Beggar is another that will love the ground. He absolutely loves soft ground so that will play to his strengths. He ran well at Newbury it was just that the ground was too lively for him. He couldn’t quite pick them up. I think he’ll be better today. The ground is a big factor for him.