Jim Crowley: “Mostahdaf could go to Royal Ascot with a major chance”

A busy day at my local track begins on Banner Moonshine for Richard Hannon. She’s had the two starts so far this season, being by Iffraaj, she shouldn’t mind any cut in the ground, and while she didn’t run so well last time, her first run of the season looked OK, so hopefully she can take a step forward here.

Jim rides Just In Time in the 13:40 at Goodwood

Nice to pick up a ride for trainer Alan King here, as this is the sort of race he tends to do well in on the Flat. He’s another who shouldn’t be inconvenienced by any give in the ground, he’s won over this course and distance before, which is always a plus at Goodwood, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well again here, I think he’s got a good chance.

Jim rides Al Zaraqaan in the 14:10 at Goodwood

First ride of the day in the Shadwell silks, Al Zaraqaan had progressed well to win four in a row, but on first impressions he was a bit disappointing when upped to Group 2 company at Newmarket last time, but it may be that he just didn’t see out the mile and a half trip.

He’s back down in trip and grade here, he’s been working well, I still think he’s a smart horse and I hope we can get him back on track here.

Jim rides Aldaary in the 14:50 at Goodwood

Aldaary is unbeaten in his three career starts to date, and the most recent of those, at Ascot earlier this month, was so impressive I don’t think the handicapper had any choice but to hike him up 12 pounds in the weights.

He carries top weight here as a result, but I’m not sure that will stop him, he’s a horse I really like and while this is a stronger race than Ascot on paper, I hope he can continue to improve.

Shadwell also run Tawleed here, I won on him last time and he could well be my main danger here, but I was never going to get off Aldaary, and if he can win here we’d have to be looking at stepping him up to pattern company.

Jim rides Hukum in the 15:25 at Goodwood

Hukum is a Royal Ascot winner who ran well in the St Leger, and his first run this season was over an insufficient trip so he should appreciate stepping back up in trip here.

He won’t mind soft ground, this is a small field to take on, and he’s another Shadwell horse I really like.  If he can win well here, he could be one for the Hardwicke at the Royal meeting.

Jim rides Asiaaf in the 16:00 at Goodwood

Asiaaf is an ex-Shadwell horse who I rode to win here at Goodwood last summer when trained by Marcus Tregoning. Now with David Menuisier, I think she might prefer top of the ground, but that said, she’s a big, scopey filly so can hopefully cope with softer ground here.

Jim rides Via Sistina in the 16:35 at Goodwood

My final ride of the day is on Via Sistina. She ran really well to finish third on her debut at Thirsk, and if she can improve for that and handle the soft ground here, she could run well, although the Juddmonte horse [Chiasma] looks the one to beat.

Jim