With the finish line in sight Group 1 winning jockey Hector Crouch leads the All Weather Jockeys’ Championship.. can he fend off the late surge of Billy Loughnane? Read his exclusive thoughts for kwiff ahead of a busy weekend of racing.
Huge Weekend Rides: Hector Crouch, April 4th 2025
Hector Crouch: Friday Rides
Captain Parma finished fourth on debut for the James Owen yard and ran well despite being a beaten favourite. With normal progression likely, he should improved and go close to shedding the maiden tag. The favourite (Nimmy Piminy) looks hard to beat, but we should be there or thereabouts.
Overnight Oats: Southwell (6.55)
This is effectively a 100k race with Overnight Oats in line for the Horse of the Season bonus, so fingers crossed we can land connections a nice pot. He’s been sensational all winter, winning seven times, and six when I’ve been sat aboard him.
He loves it around Southwell and is up just 3lb for his recent course and distance success. A strongly run mile is exactly what he needs and, despite the step up in class, he looks sure to run his typically consistent race.
High Court Judge: Southwell (7.30)
Another horse to really make hay over the winter is High Court Judge, who has six times since joining the James Owen yard last year, and I was fortunate to be sat him on him for five of those successes. He’s trying 1m 6f after not staying over two miles last time out at Newcastle, in what ended up being something of a messy race. The George Scott horse (Capallo de Mar) looks potentially very well-treated if turning up in similar mood to his recent wins, but we go there with a very good chance.
Agent Mayfair: Southwell (8.00)
I’m on both Tony Carroll horses in the first and second divisions of the closing 6f Handicaps, starting with Agent Mayfair who bids to reverse the form with Combustion after the pair finished 1-2 last time out at Lingfield. The winner carries a penalty for that success and we re-oppose on 5lb better terms – I think he boats a very good chance.
Port Hedland: Southwell (8.30)
He’s a bit unlucky to remain a maiden after 12 starts but looked better than ever in his recent outings at Southwell and Wolverhampton when placed in what looks a pair of competitive handicaps. I think he’ll be suited by the step up in trip from five to six furlongs and he boasts a very good chance.
Hector Crouch: Saturday Rides
Galaxy Zoo: Wolverhampton (4.45)
Captain Parma has joined the Ralph Beckett yard and has run better than the two numbers next to his name suggest. I’ve ridden him in a piece of work and I think he’s in good form. With normal progression likely from his first two starts, and the benefit of the change of scenery, he should go close.
Invincible Melody: Wolverhampton (6.15)
I finished 5th on Invincible Melody when 5th in a maiden at Kempton earlier in the winter, and he has been much improved for the step up in trip since sent handicapping. He has finished runner-up on his last two starts when bumping into one, and can hopefully go one better at Wolverhampton.
Desert Champion: Wolverhampton (6.45)
I was in the race when Desert Champion destroyed a good field last time out at Southwell, and think he can defy a 10lb hike at the weights. He won in the stye of an animal much better than a mark of 75 that day and I think he’s my best chance of a winner this weekend.
Forever Proud: Wolverhampton (7.15)
She’s a consistent mare, who will be having her last run for connections before going off to the sales. She was a good third last time out, when forced to come wide and having to make late ground from a less than ideal position. A mark of 60 is about her grade and she can hopefully get a very deserved head in front.
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