Crowley Calls It: “If she can justify her price she could be a lovely ride to pick up”

Newmarket 1.50

A busy first day of the Newmarket July meeting, with rides in all seven races, beginning with Tamleek in the Bahrain Trophy, a horse I know well.  His fourth at Chester behind Venice Beach and Wings Of Eagles obviously looks a decent run now, and I thought the ground at Royal Ascot was probably a bit fast for him, and it all happened just too quickly for him.  Hopefully the drop of rain they’ve had at Newmarket will be in his favour, and although it’s a competitive race, he’s a lovely horse and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t outrun his odds.

This race is an early trial for the St Leger, and when I rode him at Chester, I got off him and thought a longer trip could suit him.  He was dropped back in trip at Ascot but with the quick ground not in his favour there, this should be more his race, as he’s not a horse who does anything too quickly, and the trip should be well within his compass.

Newmarket 2.25

I ride Enjazaat for the boss in the Group Two July Stakes.  I rode him when he won at Yarmouth last time, he’s a very nice horse who they think a lot of at home, although the race he won was not a strong race, and was run in a howling gale and torrential rain.  He won it well though, but he will have to improve and step up to the plate, as we’ve got the Coventry winner in the race to set the standard.  However my horse has gone under the radar, he’s only had the two runs so I’d like to think there’s room for improvement, and it wouldn’t be a huge shock if he ran a big race.

Newmarket 3.00

I was due to ride the top weight Eqtiraan in the six furlong handicap but he’s a non runner so I’ve switched to Ekhtiyaar for Sheikh Hamdan.  He was a shade disappointing at York last time but the time before that won at Newmarket when I couldn’t do the weight.  At York the ground was quick, whereas at Newmarket it was good to soft, so I’m hoping the ground doesn’t get too fast as his best form is with a bit of juice in the ground.  If you forgive him his last run, he’s off a nice weight here and should have a good chance.

Newmarket 3.35

In the feature Princess Of Wales’s Stakes I ride Muntahaa.  He got a bump in the Hardwicke last time out, Ascot can be a tricky place as you run downhill and it’s difficult to get horses to relax, and Muntahaa can be a little bit keen as we saw in the Leger last year.  He has been much better this year, settling very well in his races, and his only previous blip came on the soft ground at York.  He is the outsider of the field here, but I’m hoping he can get back on track, and like a few of mine here, he could outrun his odds.

Newmarket 4.05

In the fillies’ maiden I’m on Lamya for Richard Hannon.  She was an expensive breeze-up purchase with a lovely pedigree, and although I don’t know much about her, if she can justify her price she could be a lovely ride to pick up.  I’ve been down to Richard’s to ride out, it’s a great place to visit and I really enjoy going there, they have great facilities and we’ve seen over the years they can ready a two-year-old alright.

Newmarket 4.35

Shamshon, my ride in the five furlong handicap, is making a quick reappearance having finished third at Sandown last Friday.  I haven’t ridden this gelding before, but Stuart Williams is a shrewd trainer and a good man to ride for and this one has to be respected, being out again so soon.

Newmarket 5.05

My final ride of the day is on Beat The Bank for Andrew Balding.  He finished mid division in the Jersey Stakes, but won his only two starts before that, including a conditions race on the Rowley Mile.  I’d forgive a horse a bad run at the Royal meeting, so this could be a good ride to pick up in this Listed contest, he could run well.