Jim Crowley: “I think Elarqam has a great chance”

Our man reflects on his six winners in the first three days of Royal Ascot

On the first day I was lucky enough to ride a treble which was fantastic.

In the first race of the meeting I had the choice of four horses to ride and the market said I’d got it wrong, but I’d picked the right one and that obviously got the day off to a great start.

Then my old mate Battaash was absolutely fantastic in the King’s Stand. He put on a show for everybody and it was great that he could finally get the monkey off his back. And then Nazeef winning the fillies race was terrific. She dug really deep to win her race, it was a marvellous day.

On the second day, Hukum was really tough to give Owen Burrows his first Royal Ascot winner so that was a special day as well. And then Thursday was a brilliant day too, riding the two winners.

So hopefully I can keep going on Friday and Saturday. We have a few more bullets to fire so it would be nice to have a few more winners.

Friday’s rides

15:00 – Elarqam

His form last time out was franked massively by Lord North winning the Prince of Wales on Wednesday. He is stepping up in trip, but we’ve always thought he would stay and the way he has been running suggests he will.

I think had it been a little bit further at Haydock he would have beaten Lord North, he was coming back at the end. I think he has a great chance.

He wouldn’t want it too soft. He ran very well at Royal Ascot last year when third to Addeybb, with Magic Wand second and Latrobe back in fourth.