Spencer has no Ordinary book of rides at Haydock

I’m really looking forward to the weekend as I have a really decent book of rides today, and tomorrow at Haydock. In the first race today at 2.00pm I ride Life Less Ordinary for Jamie Osborne. He’s a huge, big horse. When he won at Windsor last time it was his first start on turf and Jamie wasn’t sure how he’d go as he hadn’t done much work on grass. He rode like that in the race as he rolled around for the first half of the race and I just concentrated on getting him balanced. It was only as I went past the three pole that he started to come alive, and I knew by the two pole that he was going to win even though he had the field to pass as he’d come good and was travelling strong. He picked up and won easily. I would be very disappointed if he couldn’t take care of this field as he’s still running in a 0-75 with a penalty. I know it’s back a furlong in trip but he’s a big, likeable horse. When I rode him first time out last year he was so green and he rolled everywhere with me at Wolverhampton. Then he improved hugely on his second start when he won, and he’s improved again over the winter.

I’ve never actually ridden out down at Jamie’s. I rode work on Toast of New York once at Kempton for him and Michael Buckley is always saying pop in and ride out when I’m down that way so I will do soon.  He’s really doing well as a trainer, Jamie, and he’s easy to ride for. He knows his horses inside out. With Life Less Ordinary last week he told me just to get him round and teach him how to race on turf and if it comes good then great, if it doesn’t then educate him and get him ready for the future.

In the 2.30pm I ride Menai for Charlie Hills in the two year old race. He’s a Dark Angel colt that Charlie likes and he should go well but at the same time most of his two year olds improve for the run. It looks a warm race.

In the 3.05pm I ride Hope And Faith for Jeremy Noseda. She won first time out at Doncaster. She should appreciate the ground at Haydock. I thought Ed Walker’s horse was very impressive last week so my filly will need to up her game to win off 80 but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did. She put the race to bed very quickly at Doncaster. She was in front at the two pole and then took her eye off the ball a bit shortly after when we passed the entrance that the horses come on to the track, but got the job done well by the end. She’s a nice filly and she could win, but second time out in a competitive handicap is not easy. She’ll have to show that she’s nearly a listed filly to win this.

Erik The Red is my mount for Kevin Ryan in the 4.50pm. He ran twice last year running well in the Convivial at York where he was quite green and babyish. Then he ran at Doncaster in a decent maiden that’s worked out well. He ran OK at Doncaster without ever looking like he was going to win. Kevin’s put a hood on him as he’s a bit lively at home and he ought to have a good chance in this. I can’t see much of the opposition running away from him. He’s in good form at home. He was just an immature horse last year so hopefully with the winter behind him he’s a good bit stronger and can put up a good showing.