Hector Crouch is back looking at his Christmas Rides as racing returns from a short break, and the classic winning jockey is now just four winners shy of a maiden century on British soil.
Hector Crouch: Christmas Rides to 100
It was a frustrating last couple of days before the Christmas break, but it was good to end with a winner at least thanks to Overnight Oats (runs again today) winning the lucky last at Wolverhampton on Saturday.
It was a fun night at The Lesters midweek too, although it was a quiet one for me.. I’m not too sure others in the weighing room could say the same! I’m not doing light this week (no lower than 9’2) so I was able to enjoy Christmas Dinner a bit more so than others in years gone by. As good as the recent break was, I can’t wait to get riding again with just 4 winners away from a maiden century of British winners in a calendar year.
Christmas Rides: Overnight Oats (Wolves 15:35)
I think the only thing that gets Overnight Oats (15:35) beat is if he pulls too hard. When I won on him at the start of his four-timer I thought he had a stone in hand, and when I won on him again at the weekend I still thought he was ahead of his mark despite a 17lb rise. The only danger would be if he pulls too hard and they go no gallop, so fingers crossed they go a good clip to complete the five-timer for in-form trainer James Owen.
Christmas Rides: Paradias (Wolves 16:05)
Trainer Alan King does well with his flat runners on the all-weather and I think his gelding Paradias (4.05) should go well in the mile and a half handicap. He was a good third last time out at Southwell, with that form already looking good on paper. We’ve got a good draw and the race should be run to suit. He’s a strong traveller, so the drop back in trip shouldn’t be a problem – h’s got a big chance.
Christmas Rides: Hat Toss (Wolves 16:35)
Hat Toss is another in-form runner for the James Owen yard, having won two of his last five starts. He was an unlucky loser last time out at Lingfield, behind subsequent winner Bravo Zulu, and he should be in the mix from just a 2lb higher mark.
Christmas Rides: Tenyatta (Wolves 17:05)
I rode Tenyatta last week when beaten less than a length at Southwell, and she remains a filly in good form of late. I got off her feeling she needed some head-gear, and that could be the trick that sees her winning races. Connections have decided to put blinkers on her for the first time and I think it will suit her. She has plenty of ability, but just needs to put it all together.
Hector Crouch Christmas Rides – Friday 27th December
Christmas Rides: Stage Winner (Wolves 17:00)
Stage Winner shaped with plenty of promise on debut when not beaten far on debut last month at Wolverhampton and looks the ideal type to improve and shed the maiden tag. The Qatar Racing colt boasts a nice pedigree and given the naturally progression from first to second run, looks to have the right profile to get the job in what looks a fairly open maiden.
Christmas RIdes: Kokanee (Wolves 17:30)
He may have form figures of 65 but he has run much better than those modest figures reveal and I think he could could go better than his price suggests.
Christmas Rides: Destinado (Wolves 18:00)
Destinado is another for Deva Racing and James Owen that has been running well throughout the winter, winning at Lingfield and Southwell. He’s got a nice draw from stall one and should appreciate the step up in trip, having stayed on well over a mile and a half. He’s another with a very good chance.
Christmas Rides: Come on John (Wolves 19:00)
He has been a revelation since joining the Owen yard, winning at Southwell and twice a narrow runner-up subsequently. I was beaten by a head on him the other week over a mile and a quarter, and he was unlucky to fill the same spot when second behind a bold fron-runner last week at Southwell. He looks ahead of his mark still, and looks to have very strong claims if getting his desired strong gallop.
Christmas Rides: Palazzo Persico (Wolves 19:30)
Another one of Ed’s who is in good heart and up 5lb for winning last time out at Chelmsford. He’s into a higher grade but we have a good draw in stall one and headgear seems to be the making of him. I’m not sure a 5lb rise at the weights will stop him following up.
Saturday 28th December at Southwell
Christmas Rides: Monopolise (Southwell 15:45)
Monopolise was a runner-up over course and distance two starts ago and has been in good heart over the winter. He stays well, winning over a mile at Kempton earlier in the season, and should go well providing they go a strong pace here over 7f.
Christmas Rides: Turner Girl (Southwell 17:15)
Ed Dunlop’s Turner Girl is something of a bridesmaid this winter, having finished in the first 3 home in her last 5 starts without getting her head in front. I think the drop back to a mile and a half will suit her, and potentially expose the stamin of some of her rivals.
Christmas Rides: Profitman (Southwell 19:15)
Profitman is another recent winner I rode, when scoring at Chelsmford at the start of the month in those famous Brookhouse silks, and he wasn’t beaten far when attempting to follow up at Wolverhampton shortly after. The handicapper has raised him 4lb for those efforts, which I don’t think is harsh at all and providing he takes to the Tapeta surface (hasn’t threatened on two prior visits here) I think he boasts very strong claims.
Christmas Rides: Katie G (Southwell 19:45)
It will have been a very long week if I’m still searching for a winner by the time I get the leg up aboard Katie G, who is another filly from the Ed Dunlop yard in good heart towards the back end of the year. She’s a dual winner on the all-weather and scored over course and distance here in August, when benefitting for the application of first-time cheek-pieces.
She ran well last time out at Chelmsford when I was on board, finishing third, in her first run in 11 starts without any headgear and we go again without in search of a third career success.
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