Jim Crowley: “Raymond Tusk is a lovely ride to pick up”

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his Royal Ascot day four rides

It’s fair to say the early part of the week didn’t pan out as we hoped it would.

Battaash was just a little bit short of full fitness, with his setback earlier in the year playing its part, and although I’m not sure we’d have beaten a very impressive winner, in Oxted, a fully fit Battaash could have finished second.

We’ll dust ourselves off, and head to Goodwood next month, for a race he’s won four times at a course that really does suit him perfectly, so there’s still lots to look forward to with him.

My other Group One ride on Tuesday was Mostahdaf in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and although we got the door absolutely slammed shut on us at a crucial time, in reality he didn’t have the necessary turn of foot to get through the gap when it was there, and again, the race was won by a very impressive performer in Poetic Flare, so we were all racing for second best even if my race had gone more smoothly.

I imagine we’ll step him up in trip and lower his sights now, but he’s a horse full of promise who I like a lot still.

Ascot 17.00 – Samoot

I’ve two rides on day four, and for the first of them, I’ve got to do a low weight [8-5] but that’s because I hope Samoot has a chance in the Sandringham.

It’s a wide open heat, but my filly has won on turf, so coming back to grass after an unlucky run at Wolverhampton won’t be an issue.

Another big plus is that she’s trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who has an incredible record at this meeting, so she could run well at a decent price.