Jim Crowley: ‘I was really happy with Zeyaadah in Cheshire Oaks.’

Jim Crowley reflects on Cheshire Oaks and looks forward to his rides at Ascot on Saturday

Zeyaadah ran a lovely race in the Cheshire Oaks this week. She was drawn seven out of seven and at Chester that makes it very difficult to go forward so I just slotted her in and had to wait for a split.

She ran a cracking race, giving three pounds to the winner especially, and we also didn’t want to give her too hard a race to knock her back for the season. I was really happy with how it went and we were unlucky that the winner got first kick of us.

If she goes to Epsom, she will have a great chance of running another big race.

Jim rides Deja in the 14:30 at Ascot

Deja won the Old Newton Cup up at Haydock last year, and although his first run this year didn’t go to plan at Newbury, that should set him straight for this.

He is up from handicap company and it will need a step up but based off 2020 the form and ability is all there so I’m hopeful he can step up and run a good race here.

Jim rides Motakhayyel in the 15:40 at Ascot

Motakhayyel is a smashing horse and I am really looking forward to this ride on Saturday.

He won the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last year off a mark of 98 and then followed that up with the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a month later off 105. He might not have won on his return this season at Thirsk but it was still a promising run and he is one ride in particular that I am really looking forward to.