Jim Crowley: “I believe I’m on the best horse – he’s unbelievable”

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his long-awaited ride in the Juddmonte International on day one of the Ebor Festival

York 3.35 – Baaeed

I’ve only got the one ride on the opening day of this year’s Ebor meeting, but what a ride it is. I’ve been looking forward to this since Goodwood, and probably even before that, as this has been the target pretty much all season, the race where he steps up from a mile for the first time.

As a full brother to Hukum – a winner over 1 mile 5 furlongs – on breeding Baaeed should have no issues with this extended mile and a quarter trip, but of course we won’t know for sure until we try it. What I do know is, he relaxes well in his races, and he has always given me the impression he’ll stay further than a mile, and stay well.

The opposition is headed by Mishriff, an impressive winner of this race last season, and a horse who is at his best at this trip, and he sets a very high standard here. Native Trail is another class act, a Classic winner who got the trip well in the Coral-Eclipse last time and finished a very good third that day, so I’m under no illusions, this is a proper test.

If they go hard early on, I can sit off the pace and use his explosive turn of foot, but if they do go slowly, that wouldn’t bother me either, as I believe I’m on the best horse, and as long as I have him in the right place, York is an uncomplicated track and the best horse should win.

I wouldn’t want an absolute deluge of rain to hit the track, as testing ground would test his stamina even more, but I’m not that worried about that happening, and this horse does have form on going from good to soft to good to firm, so something dramatic would have to happen to really turn things heavy.

𝗕𝗮𝗮𝗲𝗲𝗱 wins the @Goodwood_Races Sussex Stakes 2022 🏆

"He's got everything. He ticks all the boxes" says @Coral ambassador & winning jockey @JimCrowley1978

That's an extraordinary 9 out of 9 for this magnificent horse. Is he the world's best? 🌍pic.twitter.com/UeelPZeGCb

— Coral (@Coral) July 27, 2022