Jim Crowley blog: ‘He’s got the talent if he learns to settle’

Jim Crowley returns to Coral with another exclusive blog after the week’s festivities at York, this time running us through his rides at Doncaster on Saturday.

On a busy day I head to Doncaster for their evening meeting, where I have six rides, including a couple for Clive Cox and Mukaafah in the Shadwell silks. I start on one for Clive, The Dragon King has had a couple of runs already this season, he ran a good second on debut at Southwell, and then maybe didn’t enjoy soft ground at Nottingham the next time, although he still wasn’t beaten far.

He should appreciate a better surface here, and of those who have run, he appears to have the strongest form, so although we don’t know how good the newcomers might be, I’d be hopeful he can go very close.

The Dragon King odds

Second ride for Clive, and it’s another who’s had a couple of runs. Again, he ran well to finish second on his debut, but following a wind op, he ran green and ultimately a bit disappointing second time up. 

That was at Windsor on good to soft, so once again I’m hoping better ground will see him to better effect.

Nemov odds

Caustic is a son of Galileo who made his first two starts in bumpers, finishing second both times, before getting off the mark at the fourth attempt at Lingfield in February. 

He then failed to fire at Southwell, but I think running on turf will suit him better, as will the step up in trip, so while giving weight away won’t be easy, there are factors in his favour.

Caustic odds