Looking to make it first time lucky round Sandown

Big day for Zac Baker

The horse Spice Fair

The race Grade 3 Matchbook Imperial Handicap Hurdle

The story Zac Baker knows Sandown well from family history and more recently from leading up runners in his work for Nigel Twiston-Davies this season.

With his farrier father George having worked at the track and his brother George partnering big Flat winners there, Baker knows his way round on foot.

Now the 22-year-old gets his chance to follow his older brother with a first ride at the Esher venue in what will be the biggest race he has competed in.

Baker gets the mount on last year's staying-on third Spice Fair, taking 7lb off with his claim as an amateur, and afterwards he will be straight off to see his brother in the London hospital where he is recovering from a head injury from his fall at St Moritz two weeks ago.

He says I am chuffed to be jocked up – I thought Paddy Brennan would keep the ride and Wayne Hutchinson rode him last year.

I think he'll run a good race. He's in as good form as ever at the age of ten and was beaten under ten lengths last year and is a few pounds lower now.

I need one more winner to lose my 7lb claim so it could be fate to get this big ride.

I would be amazed if he won it but if he could run into a place that would be good. The smaller field will help his chances and he will be finishing strongly.

I'm definitely staying amateur – I'm six-foot-two and too big to turn professional. Doing 10st 8lb on Spice Fair is light enough for me.