Crowley calls it: “Battaash in great shape for clash with Lady Aurelia”

I’m drawn one away from Lady Aurelia and Kachy so I think we’re in the right place. Battaash is a very good horse but arguably his best form has been with a bit of cut in the ground. However he has won on Good to Firm as well.

He is in really good form. I have ridden him in work since his win and he feels in great shape. It was the first time I’d sat on him since the Abbaye last year. I was really surprised at how much he’d filled out and grown.  

Lady Aurelia is a very good filly. Her last couple of runs haven’t been so good but she seems to come right at this time of year and she enjoys the straight track at Ascot so this will be a close race.

4.20 St James Palace Stakes – Gabr

Gabr has never had the chance to run on fast ground. That wasn’t though design it’s just that every time it came to declare him the ground had gone soft.

He worked unbelievably well on good to firm ground. He’s been waiting for this ground. I think he’ll put up a really big show.

He was only just behind Without Parole and we needed a run that day. He will come forward for that run and appreciate the faster ground.

I’m surprised Without Parole is such a short price. I think if Tip Two Win was trained by Aidan O’Brien it would be the favourite.

It’s an open race. The draw has been kind to Gabr in stall five and I think he has a very good chance.

5.00 Ascot Stakes – Cleonte

I rode him in this race last year but he wasn’t quite right that day. He didn’t finish out his race very well. He’s shown bits and bobs of good form this year and so we’ll just have to wait and see.

You have to respect the Willie Mullins horses in this race, and pay close attention to all the jump trainers. I enjoy riding in this long distance races.

They always tend to go quite quick in them so it often suits the hold-up horses. 

5.35 Wolferton – Larraib

He would have been one of my best chances of the week and he still could be, but I’m just concerned about the draw. In fact I nearly asked Ascot to give me an extra car park pass for the horse as he’s out in fifteen of sixteen.

It just makes life a little more difficult as over a mile and a quarter you are straight into the bend. Laraaib is a big, galloping horse who wouldn’t want to be too far back.

So it all depends on how he breaks and the pace of the race. He’s a very good horse. He ran just behind Poets Word last time.

This is now a Listed level weights race rather than a Listed Handicap, so it’s perfect for him. Hopefully we can overcome the draw, and if he can, then he’s got a massive chance.

I would give Muntahaa a squeak. He could be a surprise package as he’s been gelded this year and things didn’t pan out for him at Chester where I ended up making the running on him.

He’s an extremely good work horse at home. I think it’s a good idea to bring him back to a mile and a quarter. He’s probably been running over a trip too far. He has the ability to run well at a big price.

Jim