Jim Crowley: ‘I will be disappointed if Al Aasy is beaten.’

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his rides at Newbury on Saturday

Our man Jim Crowley looks ahead to his three rides at Newbury, including on Al Aasy who runs in the Aston Park Stakes.

Jim rides Al Shibli in the 13:15 at Newbury

My first ride of the day is on the unraced youngster, Al Shibli.

He’s a Shadwell homebred with a lovely pedigree, as a half-brother to Tajaanus and Motafaawit, so I know the family well.

The softish ground shouldn’t hold any concerns for a son of Shamardal, he’s been going well at home, and the Hannons have won this race with the likes of Mehmas before, so they like to run a good one here.

I hope he’ll go very well.

Jim rides Al Aasy in the 14:25 at Newbury

I love this horse, I really do!

He won really well at the track last month, and the original plan was to go straight to the Coronation Cup next month, but he’s such a big strong horse, and can be a bit of a lad at home, so William [Haggas] wanted to get another run into him. He carries a three pound penalty here, but I honestly don’t think that will stop him, he’s a beast of a horse.

On ratings we have a St Leger winner, Logician, to beat, but he’s clearly not been straightforward to handle, and making his first start of the season here, he doesn’t worry me too much.