Hayley - Royal Ascot rides taking shape

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Hayley Turner

Hayley - Royal Ascot rides taking shape

15 June 2012

There really is a noticeable lull between the Derby and Royal Ascot and it’s almost as if everyone’s going through the motions waiting for next week.

I should have some nice rides at the Royal meeting, which I’ll touch on later, but I really want to play it all down and treat it as any other fixture.

Business as usual

The attention around the Derby ride was all a bit much really, and I’m not blaming the media or anyone else, I was just naturally excited to have a ride and I probably let that come across too much. I’d like to think I’ve got to a stage in my career now, where I will get the odd big ride and it shouldn’t be a massive deal for everyone – including myself.

I want to come across as professional and deadly serious about every ride, which I am, whether it’s Sandown or Lingfield tomorrow, or Ascot next week.

Friday's rides

I’ve got two rides at York this afternoon and I think The Betchworth Kid might be good value to sneak a place. He used to be with Michael Bell and is now with Alan King, but the owner Henry Ponsonby kindly let me keep the ride.

I won a Listed race on him last year and also rode him to come 11^th in the Ascot Gold Cup, when I just don’t think he stayed. Things didn’t always go right for him after that but I think the ground and trip will suit here, and I get on well with him so I reckon he might run better than his 20-1 odds suggest.

Saturday's rides

On to Saturday and I think Spirit Of The Law should run well in the opening handicap at Sandown. I think this drop back in trip will be in his favour, as will the ground, and Ed’s horses have been running consistently well all season.

I think Bouncy Bouncy should run another honest race in the five-furlong handicap, and she has been pretty consistent all her career. She’s been dropped 1lb by the handicapper but I think he still has a hold over her, and she might find it hard to win off this mark at the moment. Anjomarba on the other hand is on a winnable mark and runs at Lingfield. She has a good draw and is a better horse on turf so she could run well in the six-furlong handicap.

Ascot rides taking shape

On to Royal Ascot and Margot Did will be the highlight for me on the opening day in the King’s Stand Stakes. I haven’t sat on her since she came last at Newmarket. There weren’t any excuses for that performance - unfortunately sprinters don’t always run to the formbook and can be very in and out and I think it was just an off-day for her. The guv’nor says she’s really coming to herself now so hopefully she’ll be on a going day!

I think I ride Boom And Bust in the Royal Hunt Cup, who hasn’t been out since winning under me at Glorious Goodwood. I was at Marcus Tregoning’s this week and one horse really caught my eye. I asked Marcus who he was, and he said, “Boom And Bust”. He looks awesome and will be ready to go come Wednesday.

Obviously it will be an absolute honour to ride The Queen’s Momentary in the Ribblesdale on Thursday. The form of her win at Newbury has worked out really well, with the runner-up Shirocco Star going so close in the Oaks. We certainly think she’s up to this level.

Bronze Angel is set to for the Britannia. I haven’t sat on him since we won at Doncaster but he’s been in great form. He keeps a bit up his sleeve and takes some knowing, but I do know him and I think we can conjure up another consistent run.

Primaeval is likely to go for the Buckingham Palace Stakes on Friday rather than the Royal Hunt Cup, and I think James Fanshawe is right to go for the seven furlong race, rather than the mile, as he has so much speed. I put the finishing touches on him this morning and he felt great, although I can’t take any credit, it’s down to Nick there who regularly rides him.

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