Jim Crowley: “Motakhayyel is my best chance of an Ascot winner”

I’m on an outsider, Salouen, in the King George, and I’m sure he’ll run his usual honest race, even more so if Ascot gets some rain.

It’s a really strong renewal of the race, with Group One winners galore in it, although I can’t see Enable getting beat, I think she’s the best filly I’ve seen. She’s already beaten Crystal Ocean, when she wouldn’t have been fully tuned up, although Sir Michael Stoute has got further improvement out of last year’s runner-up.

There’s also the Derby winner, Anthony Van Dyck, and he could possibly be over-priced, getting weight from his rivals he could serve it up to Enable. Salouen will be running to get a place, and in this field getting placed would be a great result, but I just can’t see past Enable, she’s a true superstar and should prove it again here.

Ascot 16.15

I’m on Buhturi in the race run in honour of the great Pat Eddery. He’s a nice horse, ran second on his debut and then went to Haydock and won.

I think he’s better than his winning margin that day as well, as we had to make the running and I’m not sure that suited him, he could be a better horse held up.

He’s a brother to a nice horse called Ibn Malik, and I think this fellow is a nice horse, he’d have a chance in an open looking race.

Ascot 17.20

My final Ascot ride is on Unit Of Assesment. He got off the mark when winning at Goodwood last month, and then ran OK at Sandown last time. He stays this trip well, and it’s another open looking race so he’d have an each way chance hopefully.

Salisbury 19.45

William Haggas is another trainer who has his horses running well, and Aladaala could run a nice race here.

As a daughter of Dansili she should appreciate the step up in trip, and while Godolphin’s Global Hunter looks the pick on what form there is, we’re getting plenty of weight from him.

Salisbury 20.15

I’ve not ridden War Brigade since last October, since when he’s been kept busy on the flat and over jumps, but I always like riding for Ian Williams, and in what is another wide-open contest, I’m on a horse who will stay the 1m 6f trip so we’re not without a place chance.

Jim