Ascot

1.55pm

Maid In India

It looks like it is going to turn pretty soft at Ascot if the forecast from Friday afternoon onwards is correct, and that will be no hardship for this filly, as one of her better efforts came when winning in heavy at Haydock last season. However, she does handle quicker ground if it isn’t too bad, as it was good to firm when I won on her in a Group 3 at Newbury. She ran her best race of the season when fourth in the Flying Five at the Curragh last time, and you have to think she has a big run in her here.

3.05pm

Orbaan

He showed he handled a bit of cut in France and when winning at York earlier in the season, and he shaped well when fourth to Tempus here over 1m last time, especially as the slow pace would not have suited him there. A more strongly-run tempo in a bigger field will suit him, especially over this shorter trip, and it is just a matter of whether the handicapper has him at the moment off a mark of 103. Small margins matter in these handicaps.

3.40pm

Dubai Station

He carries a 3lb penalty for his Group 3 win at Newcastle in June , so he is up against it here, but he still has an each way chance. I rode him in his early days when he was placed in a Norfolk here, and he wouldn’t mind it if it did turn soft. The return to 6f is in his favour, too.

4.15pm

Mighty Spirit

She comes in here in decent nick after placed efforts at York and Leicester, and she has slowly come down the handicap as well. She has good course form – that fifth to Art Power at Royal Ascot is strong form – and she is ground-versatile, so I can see her going well.

Jamie