Jim Crowley: “I’m sure Rakan could run a big race”

Coral ambassador previews his ride in the Irish Derby

Irish Derby (5.20 Curragh) – Rakan

It is my first ride in the Irish Derby. I have ridden in some of the other Irish Classics, including the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. This will actually be my first ride for Dermot Weld too and I am really looking forward to it.

There are some good horses in the race. Anthony Van Dyck is the market favourite but it is a competitive Classic. Madhmoon and Broome are going to be in with a big chance. I would not be surprised at all if Broome did reverse the form with Anthony Van Dyck.

Dermot Weld would not be running my horse in the race if he did not feel it had a chance. He has some close form with Broome in a Derby trial. My horse stays very well and looks to be improving. I am sure he could run a big race.

The Curragh is a good fair track where normally the best horse wins. I have ridden there a few times before so I know the course well.

I have a suspension to take so I am not riding Sunday. When you have a two or three-day suspension, you are allowed to move a day so I will have a nice day off on Sunday.

It has been a good week. We had a winner at Royal Ascot with Afaak which was obviously by highlight of the meeting. We are getting a few coming through now which is nice. Raheek won at Bath for Roger Varian earlier in the week and he is going to be a nice horse and one to keep an eye out for in the future.

It’s going to be really hot tomorrow which I enjoy, as do most flat jockeys. When the weather is as hot as it is, it is more of a concern for National Hunt horses who are running 3m+.

I have ridden at Jebel Ali in the UAE and that is real heat so it should not bother me. A lot of courses do a fantastic job with their cooling systems now so the horses should be fine too.