Crowley Calls It: “I’m really looking forward to riding this horse”

I’m riding Paris Protocol for Richard Hannon and his horses are absolutely flying at the moment. This horse ran well last time out at Salisbury over one mile and six. He ran a super race that day. He’s stepping up to two miles and it’s a competitive little race. Yorkidding ran very well in the Chester Cup, My Reward won last time out, Parliamentarian is a good horse, so it’s a tight little race, but hopefully my horse will do himself justice.

2.55 Haydock – Mustarrid

It was a really tough decision to choose between Mustarrid and Rusumaat. It was nearly a flick of a coin job. Mustarrid is running really well. I won on him at Chelmsford and then he just got touched off last time by City of Joy, a very well thought of horse of Sir Michael Stoute’s. He has a nice draw and should run really well. But you can say the same about Rusumaat. He bumped into a very well handicapped, unexposed horse last time out at Ascot. I’m sure he will run a big race as well. It would not be a big shock if the black hat finished in front of the striped hat.

4.05 Haydock – Waady

I’m looking forward to riding him. I’ve never sat on him before but I’ve gone through his form and watched all his races. He looks as if he’s best over five furlongs and he has some really smart pieces of form. He’s beaten some good horses, including Profitable. Hopefully he’ll run a decent race. He’s drawn in stall 11 and we’re next to Quiet Reflection and Cotai Glory. I think he’ll run really well. He finished third in this race last year before coming fifth in the King’s Stand. He was winner-less last year but hopefully he can get his head back in front. He was gelded too and sometimes that takes a while to get over. John Gosden’s yard is flying too so that’s great.

4.35 Haydock – Clem Fandango

I haven’t ridden this filly before but she’s got some really smart form. She won the Harry Rosebery up at Ayr, and then she was second at Newmarket to Miss Danvers in the Cornwallis. She ran a very creditable race last time at Maisons Laffitte when she was fourth in a Group Three. Her best form is with a bit of cut in the ground but she’s going up to six furlongs and I think that will suit. Keith Dalgleish was a really good jockey and is a good friend of mine so I’d love to bang in a winner for him. He’s absolutely flying as a trainer. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s always been a supporter of mine and books me whenever I’ve been available. It’s great to see him doing so well as a trainer, as he was a fabulous jockey, it was just a shame he got a bit too heavy really.

5.10 Haydock – Sofia’s Rock

I’m really looking forward to riding this horse. He ran in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time out and he went off very fast that day and was never going to get home. He looks like a really nice horse and was very impressive the time before at Leicester when Ryan Moore won on him. It’s a tough race as Face The Facts is a nice horse as is Janszoon, but hopefully with a less forceful ride my horse will run a big race.

I love the hot weather. It’s great for your weight, as it helps you lose a few pounds. It feels like flat racing has finally arrived; we are getting proper fast ground, the sun’s out. Goodwood on Thursday was what Flat racing is all about. It was absolutely buzzing there in the sunshine. Then Sandown in the evening was terrific too. Algometer ran a really good race in the Brigadier Gerrard which bodes well for the rest of the season as ten furlongs would be a bit short for him. He’s an exciting horse and I’m looking forward to riding him again.

Jim

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