I was at Royal Ascot to see Big Orange win one of the best races of living memory on Thursday – and I was looking around afterwards thinking there could be no better advert for British racing.

To have only a short head separating the horse of the people and the horse of the punters after two and a half miles was exhilarating.

The place was bouncing and Ascot was the perfect setting for such a perfect race. I’ve watched and ridden in thousands of races but that race will love long in the memory, that is for sure.

James Doyle deserves plenty of credit for an exceptional ride; he gave the horse a breather at the right time, kicked at the right time and then was very strong in the finish. I don’t think Ryan Moore did anything wrong on Order Of St George. He gave his horse every chance and, remember, it was almost on the nod at the line.

Both my horses ran as their odds suggested, but Kings Gift could have finished closer than ninth in the Hampton Court. He got stuck for a bit of room which cost him and he’d also prefer some juice in the ground so don’t write him off.

As for Saturday, I fancy Tasleet to run a big race in the Diamond Jubilee. He thumped a very good field in the Duke of York Stakes at York. I know William Haggas has always thought a lot of him and he is clearly a Group One horse. He’s drawn 12, which will give him options to go far side or stands side.

Certificate would be my choice in the Wokingham. I rode him over seven furlongs at Haydock last time, his first run of the season, which will presumably have put him spot on for this.

I think this stiff six furlongs will really suit him and Roger Varian and the team have always had this race in mind for him.

Across The Stars won the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot last year and the booking of Olivier Peslier in the Hardwicke is very eye-catching. Sir Michael Stoute and Olivier teamed up with Dartmouth to win this last year. The Queen's horse reappears and clearly has a great chance, but I don’t think there would be too much between them.

As for my rides, Mabs Cross is my best chance of the day. She runs in the opening Betfred Fillies’ Handicap at Haydock.

She has done nothing but improve with each run. The handicapper has taken no chances with her in putting her up 9lb for a three-quarter length win at Windsor this month, but she was a cosy winner and Michael Dods is in terrific form.

Thornton would have a good chance in the closing Betfred-sponsored maiden, but I am worried about the ground and I think we might need some rain if he’s going to run. If he does, he should take some beating judged on his first run for us at Wetherby, where he was a very encouraging second.

I’m on stablemate French Flyer, who makes his debut at Ayr in the opening maiden. He’s a nice two-year-old by Pour Moi, sire of this year’s Derby winner, but a lot of ours have been needing their first run.

Paul is sponsored by Racing UK, which is offering a one-month free trial to the leading horseracing HD channel. Simply visit racinguk.com/freetrial and use code “RUK1MF”.