Jim Crowley “I wouldn’t swap Bacchus for any other horse in the race”

4.20 Royal Ascot – Yafta

This is a big ask for Yafta. He’s a talented horse and I could see him running well. He might be able to grab a place but he’d have to post a huge number to win. He has a good draw and will be able to follow some nice horses into the race. He won’t mind a bit of give and he stays 6 furlongs extremely well. In fact we think he wants 7 furlongs. Hopefully he can nick a place.

I’m not surprised they’ve decided to run Blue Point again as the 6 furlong division is a weak division. When I saw Invincible Army had been made favourite over Blue Point I thought that was wrong. Blue Point is clearly a better horse. The Kings Stand and Diamond Jubilee double has been done before by Australian horses and I really hope Blue Point can do it. I think he can as his form is so good and he’s a really good horse.

5.00 Royal Ascot – Bacchus

I’m riding Bacchus and I won this race last year on him. I’ve been down to ride work on him, and as soon as I got off him I rang my agent Tony Hind and asked him to get me back on the horse for this race. He’s flying at home. Brian is doing the same thing as last year and running him first time up in this race. He’s 3 lbs higher this year but the first two home pulled a log way clear of the third horse last year so I’m hoping he can run another big race. He’s got a good draw. It’s a tough race but I probably wouldn’t swap my horse for any other in the field.

Jim