Don’t be fooled by Silvestre’s pessimism

I do find it most bizarre to hear all these jockeys writing themselves off when it comes to the jockeys’ championship. It doesn’t make sense to me.

As jockeys, all we want to do is ride as many winners as we can and finish as high as we can in the jockeys’ table.

Silvestre De Sousa says he’s a 100-1 chance which is a joke. He’s odds-on favourite with good reason. He’s hungry, has a full book of rides every day, rides light, has the luxury a driver and is employed by a number of big stables.

Don’t be fooled, Silvestre will be going all out for it. As I write, he’s just ridden a treble and taken the lead in the title race.

It’s a tremendous honour to be champion jockey and there is now a nice cash prize too – so why wouldn’t you set your stall out by going for it. I will be trying 110% to win it, although there’s no way I will unfortunately…

Praying for rain for Angel

I am at The Curragh tomorrow, when I am set to partner Mecca’s Angel in the Group Two Invincible Spirit Sapphire Stakes.

She has been withdrawn twice in the last few weeks on account of fast ground. There is 7-17mm of rain forecast for the course so hopefully conditions will finally be in her favour.

She’s been ticking over at home and is in great form. I’ve made no secret of how I think she is a Group One winner in waiting and if she reproduces her form from her last run – a comfortable win in France – she will prove too good for these.

On the same card, I ride Rogues’ Gallery for Mark Johnston in the Group Three Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes.

I rode him at Ayr in May when he bolted up and he looked a little unlucky at Chester last time. Mark’s horses are in tremendous nick and I have a decent strike rate for him.

Lining up at Goodwood

Easton Angel was fancied in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket last week. However, there was a real lack of pace which didn’t suit her, then she was blocked when she needed to make her effort, before being badly bumped.

The way it all panned out was disappointing but she’s come out of the race well and we live to fight again another day.

Line Of Reason ran a career best to come fourth in the Listed race at York on Saturday and will probably go to Goodwood for the King George Stakes next. That fast five furlongs there will really suit him.

* Paul is sponsored by leading racing broadcaster Racing UK, which recently launched its Day Pass. The new service enables racing fans to watch a day’s action for a one-off fee of £10. Visit racinguk.com/daypass for more.