Jim Crowley: Mostahdaf is good, but Bay Bridge blew us away

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley reflects on Mostahdaf’s performance and previews his rides at Haydock on Saturday

I went to Sandown on Thursday evening full of hope that Mostahdaf could make it four from four at the course, and while he was sent off favourite for the Brigadier Gerard, as it turned out second place was the best we could do, as Bay Bridge put us well and truly in our place. 

He really could be one of the stars of the season now, as to do that to my horse – who we still think plenty of, and who was race fit – and a proven Group 1 horse in Addeybb, on his first run of the season, tells you that he’s a bit special.

He’s one we could be comparing to previous Sir Michael Stoute-trained stars like Ulysses and Pilsudski by the end of the year, I really was that impressed by what I witnessed.

Haydock 1.10 – Jimi Hendrix

I begin the day on Jimi Hendrix for my old boss Ralph Beckett. He won on his second and final start as a two-year-old, on soft ground at Doncaster, and was then third on his first start of this season, but I don’t think he appreciated the good to firm going that day, so Haydock’s surface should be much more to his liking.

Ralph’s horses are running well, and it would be no surprise to see this fellow involved at the business end.

Haydock 2.20 – Mahrajaan

Mahrajaan is a really nice horse who I have liked since we won at Leicester last summer. That was one of three wins last year, with another coming at Hamilton, when he did well to overcome all sorts of trouble in running.