Jockey Hector Crouch is back on the all-weather this week, with just 3 weeks until The Lincoln at Doncaster. Read his exclusive thoughts on this weekend’s rides in his latest column.
Hector Crouch Weekend Rides: March 5th 2026
Cool Molly was a nice winner last weekend at Lingfield, getting up late on to score by head for the Ollie Sangster yard on an otherwise frustrating day. Both U S S Constitution and Richie’s Rocket were slightly disappointing, with the latter playing up in the stalls beforehand and taken a little bit out of his comfort zone and playing catch up since. He should improve for his first outing as a 3yo and will strip fitter for the run. Don’t write him off just yet.
Hector Crouch: Thursday at Lingfield
My first of two rides at Lingfield on Thursday is Montu (4.00) for the yard of Jack Jones in the handicap over a mile and a quarter. The gelded son of Without Parole has progressed well since switched handicapping, starting with a good run when I was on board over a mile, and even better when second last time out at Wolverhampton. He should appreciate the step up in trip and, providing Lingfield isn’t too sharp for him, should go close.
My other ride is Potters Prince (4.33) who is another unexposed sort stepping up in trip searching for a first career success. The 3yo was better than the bare result when staying on to finish 5th (of 10) on handicap debut last time out at Chelmsford over seven furlongs, and should run well stepped up in trip from a pound lower mark.
Hector Crouch: Saturday at Chelmsford
Beagle Bay (6.00) is my sole ride at Chelmsford on Saturday, making his first appearance since second in an excellent looking race last April at Newbury. I was on board when he was narrowly beaten on debut at Newbury’s Greenham meeting, where he was a bit unlucky truth be told.
They all cascaded down the stands rail, stuck in the middle of a lot of horses with not a lot of room, did well to finish as close as he did. The winner has since proved to be a 90+ rated animal, with the third also rated 100+ so providing he can reproduce the level of form showed on debut he should be going one better here.
By Hector Crouch
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