3 minute read

Friday 5th May 2023 – The Rowley Mile at Newmarket has given me some great memories over the years. Mark of Esteem in 1996 was probably the greatest G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) finish I ever rode in. That was my first win and I remember it being such a thrilling finish.

Island Sands three years later was also a memorable one, with it being the only 2000 Guineas run at the July Course. And then I can't forget Galileo Gold in 2016. That win kickstarted the comeback for me, so I'll be forever thankful to Sheikh Joaan for that.

Often a higher draw is preferable over the 1600m at Newmarket, but I broke from stall one on Galileo Gold, so hopefully we can get the same kind of trip on Chaldean this year.

The way I see it, the fancied ones are drawn 11-13, so it's not ideal being away from them, but Chaldean is a horse who can go and run his own race.

He's got plenty of speed, so hopefully he can get away well and be right up there from the off, just like he was in the G1 Dewhurst (1400m) and the G2 Champagne Stakes (1400m). I would have liked to have been drawn a bit closer to the main rivals, but it is what it is. I'll ride my own race.

What happened in the G3 Greenham (1400m) at Newbury was a freak accident, something that's never happened to me before. Charlie Bishop's horse ducked across coming out of the stalls, bumped me and that knocked my foot out of the irons. Chaldean then jinked left and before I knew it, I was on the floor.

I went and sat on him at Andrew's [Balding] last Saturday and he felt very laid back. He's very relaxed in the mornings and doesn't do too much compared to how sharp he is in the afternoons, but he felt good.

His form is very solid and you know exactly what you're getting with Chaldean – he's bombproof – whereas the others have a bit to prove. It all depends who's progressed most from two to three, and who'll be better for the step up in trip, but I'm confident my fella will handle it. He got 1400m very nicely last year so I'm not too worried about the step up to 1600m. It's just a case of whether the others can step up to match or better what he's shown already.

I've got two other rides on the day, starting with Saga, who I last finished second on in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last year. He can be a difficult, unpredictable horse at times, but he's pretty good on his day. Riding a winner for the King on the day of his Coronation would be very special.

I've also got Manaccan in the G3 Palace House (1000m), which I remember winning in 1994 aboard the great Lochsong. We held the track record for a long time after that run!

I went to ride work on him at John Ryan's yard earlier this week and he gave me a good feel. He's an improving horse carrying a penalty and is an interesting ride. With the sprinting division wide open at the moment, it's good to get on a nice one at this point in the season.