Mabs Cross won the Zoustar Palace House Stakes last year, and she looks to be in with a great shout of winning back-to-back runnings of the sprint at Newmarket today.

She has a penalty to carry and has not had the benefit of a run before, like she had 12 months ago, following her earlier Listed win at Bath.

But she seems to have done really well physically over the winter, and appears in great form. She will definitely come on for the race but we’re expecting a big run.

I can see why Sergei Prokofiev is well fancied. He’s had a run this season already, winning a Listed race at Navan, which will certainly help his chance, and he’s also a course and distance winner, having won the Cornwallis Stakes in October.

But I still wouldn’t swap Mabs Cross for anything else in the race. She is a Prix de l’Abbaye winner and a Nunthorpe runner-up after all, so is the class act in the field.

I’ll be in the car when the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas is on, as I am dashing up to Doncaster for four, but I’d be with Skardu.

He’s unbeaten, winning the Craven over course and distance, with three of his rivals behind him, on only his second start. He ticks most boxes and no doubt there will be more improvement to come from him.

If you’re looking for an outsider, then Emaraaty Ana could go well. He won the Gimcrack last year before finishing fifth in the Middle Park. He looks to be crying out for the trip and Kevin Ryan wouldn’t be running him just for the sake of it.

David Egan is on board Emaraaty Ana and he could have a weekend to remember as he’s also on Qabala in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas on Sunday and it’s great to see Roger Varian placing so much faith in him.

My likeliest idea of the winner is Skitter Scatter, who won three on the bounce last season, culminating with an easy win in the Moyglare Stakes, in which she beat Lady Kaya, who subsequently won the Group 3 trial at Leopardstown very nicely. I’m pleased to see John Oxx have what could be another star on his hands.

Of my Doncaster rides, I kick off with Jawwaal in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap. He ran very well on his first run back and has come out of that Doncaster race very well and has an obvious shout in a similar level of race.

The old yard favourite, Get Knotted, runs in the Alan Wood Plumbing And Heating Handicap but he usually needs a run under his belt to get his season going.

Heath Charnock is a horse we like. He made a winning debut at Newcastle in November and is a lovely colt by Showcasing, so keep an eye on him in the Artex Ltd Novice Stakes.

Amourice won at this meeting last year and is only 5lb higher in the Watch Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Fillies' Handicap, so is another with a clear chance.

Finally, Jumps racing will never be the same again following the retirement of Ruby Walsh.

He was the master tactician, always in the right place at the right time, and also got horses to really travel for him.

Ruby was just a natural and made it all look so easy. You can’t teach people to ride like him and that’s why there will never be another.

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