Jim Crowley “Encapsulation should be good enough to win”

1.50 Sandown, The Coral Charge:  Muthmir

Muthmir was second in the race last year but he’s nine year old so he’s getting on a bit. He was fifth in the Epsom Dash last time where he ran very well. He’s a hold up horse and needs a bit of luck in running. I think he’ll run very well but he does like finishing second. Let’s hope he likes finishing first in this race. It’s a good race. Garrus is the one to beat. I have a kind draw and I think I’ll be placed but whether he’s good enough to win I don’t know.

2.25 Sandown – Coral Challenge:  Zhui Feng

Zhui Feng is a Royal Hunt Cup winner, and he ran okay last time. He’s dropped down in the weights and has won off a higher mark. He’s a horse that likes to go forward. It’s a competitive race and he has an each way chance. Yes he could win but it’s a tough race. The track will suit and the trip is fine so hopefully he will run a good race. His owner John Connolly is a great supporter of racing, and Amanda.

3.00 Sandown, Coral Distaff:  Encapsulation

Encapsulation is a really good ride to pick up in this for Andrew Balding. She’s having her first start in England, and her form from Navan was really good where she was second to Pink Dogwood. The third horse trained by Dermot Weld came out and won a Group Three next time and then ran in the Oaks. Encapsulation brings a bit of Group race class to a Listed race so hopefully she will be good enough to win.

3.35 Sandown, The Coral-Eclipse:  Mustashry

I have great memories of winning the Coral-Eclipse on Ulysses two years ago. It was a brilliant experience. I was riding work at Richard Hannon’s yesterday morning and he has picture on the wall of the photo finish between Ulysses and Barney Roy and he still thinks that his horse won.

Enable should be hard to beat in this year’s renewal. She’s the best horse in the race. She’s having her first start so she may not be fully tuned up. However she has been in training for a while now so she should be fit enough. This ten furlongs might be ideal for her first time out as she’s likely to be fresh. I’ve finished second to her in a King George and third in an Arc on Ulysses so I’ve seen her backside a few times.