Lily’s Angel can end my wait in Albany Stakes if we get good start

It just brings home how difficult a meeting it is at which to have winners, and I have had plenty of frustrations over the first three days.

I also woke yesterday at 5am with a spasm in my neck, and had physiotherapy before riding in the afternoon.

I’m not sure how the injury happened – possibly coming out of the stalls on Wednesday – but I just hope it doesn’t get worse.

I have my best opportunities of the week this afternoon, and I would love to leave Berkshire with one winner to my name this evening.

It would make up for the opening three days.

I’m finishing the royal meeting this afternoon after four days. Tomorrow I’m off to the west coast of Scotland, to Ayr, in pursuit of winners.

As I said in my special Royal Ascot column on Monday, we have a nice team of juvenile fillies down south from Richard Fahey’s yard.

The one I picked out earlier this week was Lily’s Angel, and I don’t demur from her being my major chance of the week.

She goes for the Albany Stakes at 2.30pm. If she breaks from the stalls well, we have a chance.

Richard Fahey thinks that Glen’s Diamond is the yard’s most likely winner of the week – in the King Edward VII Stakes at 3.05pm.

I agree that he could run a very big race, especially as he will like the rain that has fallen in the south east which has softened up the ground nicely.

Barefoot Lady is in the Coronation Stakes at 3.45pm.

She was fifth in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and second in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York last month.

I would like to think we can run into a place.

My fourth ride today is Castles In The Air in the finale – the Buckingham Palace Stakes at 5.35pm.

He is owned by Jim McGrath, of Channel 4 Racing, who was heavily involved in the Macmillan Charity Day at Knavesmire last weekend when more than £170,000 was raised for good causes.

I think Castles In The Air , left, could run well, but the race is very competitive and there is a huge field of runners.

It will be good to be home this evening in Yorkshire after several days in a hotel in Slough. Especially after the disappointments of the first three days of the meeting and my injury.

Tomorrow, as I say, sees me scheduled to be travelling north to Scotland where I have seven rides booked at Ayr Races.

The one I really fancy is the two-year-old Holy Roman Warrior in the 4.05pm race.

He was second at the same racecourse on his debut at the end of last month. I

think he was runner-up to a nice horse that day, and he will come on for the run.

I think he could take all the beating.

Returning to York

Paul Hanagan should be back at York Racecourse next on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9 when the 52nd John Smith’s Cup is the centrepiece.

The triumph of Vintage Premium in 2002 was a highlight in the year that Paul became champion apprentice jockey and he will be keen to win the £150,000 feature of Saturday’s card.

Later in July, evening racing and live music come to Knavesmire with Blondie performing on Friday, July 22 and Scouting for Girls on Saturday, July 23 after the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes.

Advanced booked prices for July start at £12 and more details can be found on www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or by calling 01904 620 911.