Jim Crowley: “On his York form he must have a major chance here”

This looks to be a very good Dewhurst, with all seven runners previous winners, but my horse could be somewhat overpriced, as you don’t break the track record in the Richmond without being a serious horse.

He’s by Gleneagles so should get the seven furlongs trip, but he does have plenty of speed so we don’t know for sure. Hopefully we can get him back on track here, as he’s a horse I still rate very highly.

Newmarket 3.40 – Prince Imperial

I team up with my old weighing room buddy Richard Hughes in the Cesarewitch. Prince Imperial was second in the trial here last month, and has winning form over two miles plus, which bodes well for this marathon contest as you obviously need to be on a strong stayer.

From stall 14 I’ll have to look to get a good early position, as believe it or not, this is still something of a cavalry charge despite the extreme distance.

The Jumps trainers are out in force in this race again, and the likes of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins won’t be easy to beat, but this has been the plan for this horse, and at decent odds he could have an each-way chance.

Newmarket 4.50 – Manaafith

Manaafith is a lovely homebred Shadwell filly, who returned from a long layoff to win at Kempton last month. That was over seven furlongs, but there is plenty of speed in her pedigree so dropping down a furlong shouldn’t inconvenience her.

The return to turf shouldn’t be an issue either, as she finished second on her debut on the grass, and if she can improve again from her comeback win, she could be a major player here.

Newmarket 5.20 – Alflaila

Alflaila has won his last two starts including at York last time where he was able to overcome a slow start, something I’ll be keen not to repeat here, as I always prefer to be up with the pace at Newmarket. I don’t like to make up ground through the Dip, the rising piece of the course.

From last to first 🚀

ALFLAILA looks a very progressive horse as he wins the G3 Strensall Stakes @yorkracecourse.

A fine ride from that man @JimCrowley1978 again! pic.twitter.com/Jshhltq4Sg

— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) August 20, 2022

Although he did win impressively at York, I did feel the race panned out for him that day as they went very hard early on and he was able to pick up the pieces, but as I say he was impressive and if he’s in that sort of form here he must have a leading chance.

‘Exciting purchases and Ascot anticipation’

It was Sales week at Tattersalls in Newmarket this week, and I was an interested observer on a couple of fronts. It was very exciting to see Sheikha Hissa and the Shadwell team purchase a couple of beautifully-bred fillies, not only will they hopefully be lovely racehorses, but they will lay the breeding foundations for generations to come.

We also have around 40 homebreds to go into training as two-year-olds next year, and it’s fantastic that she’s taking such a keen interest in the sport. Obviously Baaeed has been the star for the team this year, and with just over a week to go until his final run, it’s all systems go for him, I know he pleased William [Haggas] with his homework this week.

All we really want is a dry week, he’ll be fine on good to soft, there’s always plenty of moisture in the ground at this time of year so it’s never going to be good or quicker, but if we get at least good to soft he’ll be able to show what he can do.

I was also a seller at the sales, with a daughter of Almanzor I bred going under the hammer. She was a big, gangly type, and perhaps a few buyers were put off by her size, but I was delighted that Peter and Ross Doyle saw something in her.

They have a great track record of buying good value horses, so hopefully she will be another. At 38,000 Guineas I obviously thought she was sold too cheaply, but then I would say that! I wish her new connections the best of luck.

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