Jim Crowley: “Afaak good enough to win the Royal Hunt Cup”

ROYAL ASCOT – Wednesday

3.05 Queens Vase – Almoghared

He’s a half-brother to Taghrooda but looks nothing like her. He’s twice her size, with four white socks and a white face.

He’s done nothing wrong but he’s not the quickest hence why he’s in this race. He has a good draw and hopefully he’ll continue to improve, but he’ll have to take a big step forward to be winning this.

5.00 Royal Hunt Cup – Afaak

He has so much ability this horse. I rode him first time up at Newbury but the ground went too soft for him. He then won well last time out at York. He ran a big race in the Britannia last year. He’s in good order at home.

He’s favourite for the race. It’s a bit of a cavalry charge but he stays a mile and a quarter so he should run well. He’ll race pretty prominently and he’s certainly good enough to win this.

I won on Mukalal last time out last season. He’s drawn 32 so I’d imagine he’ll just go forward and just run straight up the rail. He’s a good horse but it would be a big ask for him to win the Royal Hunt Cup first time out.

5.35 Jersey Stakes – Emaraaty

I actually had a really tough decision. We have two in the race and I really like Tabdeed trained by Owen Burrows. He’s really unexposed and has won his only two starts. He’s been working unbelievably well at home and could be the surprise package in the race.