Hopefully readers of the column enjoyed the 9-2 about Mabs Cross at Newmarket last week. As you know, I was very positive about her chances and I had singled her as being a real star for me this season.

It was great to get that Group Three win in the Palace House Stakes, especially as she should have won a Listed race on her seasonal debut at Bath.

It was close though. She is a warm-up filly and always a little slow to start. The field split into two groups and I didn’t have anything to race against in the final furlong. I just kept my head down and kept driving towards the line and genuinely didn’t know if we'd won as the runner-up was so far away from me.

Michael Dods is a dab hand with these fillies. We’ve seen what he’s done with Mecca’s Angel, Eastern Angel and to a lesser extent, Intense Romance, who won six races last season.

She is clearly still improving and the King’s Stand is on the agenda, and deservedly so. A stiff five furlongs with a big field at Ascot should suit her.

One other filly to take out from last week was Laurens, who ran such a brave race when second to Billesdon Brook in the 1,000 Guineas.

The drying ground just went against her and I don’t think the undulations of Newmarket helped her either – you could see her change her legs.

The French Oaks at Longchamp, with its easier ground and flat track, will be right up her street.

I was delighted for Billesdon Brook’s jockey, Sean Levey. He works very hard and has left no stone unturned in looking for rides and maximising his talent.

He spent time with Aidan O’Brien in Ireland and had a small period in the north, but clearly being based with Richard Hannon has been the right match and he’s riding out there every day. His hard work is paying off.

The big handicap today is the totescoop6 Victoria Cup at Ascot, in which Get Knotted looks a massive price at a general 25-1.

He ran an encouraging race to finish second on his first run back at Haydock last month. He could have finished closer to the winner but for traffic problems and he’s come out of the race well. He looks a million dollars.

He’s drawn well in 12 which gives us options either side and Michael’s horses are starting to hit top gear. These big-field handicaps with a strong pace are ideal and he has a great each-way chance.

I’m off to Thirsk in the evening, where Marseille looks best in the Elwick Stud Fillies' Handicap.

She is out of Maralinka, the same dam of Marsha, and, while not in that class, has only been out of the frame three times in her eight starts.

I rode her on her reappearance at Newcastle when she shaped well and hopefully that will have put her spot on for this.

Paul is sponsored by Racing UK, which is offering a free Day Pass today. Viewers can watch 36 races from five meetings - and on any device. Visit www.racinguk.com/freedaypass for more.