Jockey Hector Crouch has 3 rides at Newcastle on Good Friday ahead of a huge day of racing at All Weather Finals Day. Read his exclusive preview in his latest kwiff diary.
Hector Crouch: All Weather Finals Day 2026
Last weekend was a touch frustrating with Valvano pulling like a prime Rod Stewart in the early half of The Lincoln as they went a crawl early and he was never really able to settle. Dance a Jig would have won The Brocklesby had he not been bumped in the final furlong, but he ran a great race on debut and he looks a nice horse going forward.
All Weather Finals Day: Jel Pepper (1.15)
Touchwood there are three good rides at Newcastle on Good Friday starting with Jel Pepper (1.15) in the Listed Burradon Stakes over a mile. He won the big sales race at Newmarket when I was winning something similar aboard Cape Orator in France – it was a good day for Team Valmont!
The gelded son of Inns of Court got us excited when winning on debut at Goodwood, and he did well upped in class thereafter. His third behind subsequent National Stakes winner Zavateri in The Bahrain Stakes has worked out well, and he’s got a big chance now upped in trip. His pedigree doesn’t scream a mile but if he stays he looks sure to have a great chance.
All Weather Finals Day: Blue RC (3.00)
This has been the plan for Blue RC (3.00) ever since winning at Southwell on New Year’s Day. He was well backed that day and did it well in a race that didn’t really suit. He is a strong travelling type who wants to get there in the final furlong, and the setup for this race looks ideal. He’s a good freshen up since that win in Southwell and I think he has a brilliant chance.
All Weather Finals Day: Duke of Oxford (4.42)
I have a big soft spot for ‘The Duke’ and am very much looking forward to Duke of Oxford (4.42) in the Marathon Handicap. He’s been a great horse for me, winning the Stayers’ Series Finale twice, and winning plenty of prize money for connections. It was nice to get him a win away from Kempton, when winning last time out at Newcastle, but the handicapper has had his say by upping him 6lb.
That 9lb rise makes it difficult but he’s in the form of his life and I think the race will setup well for him. It’s a two-horse race for me with Ian Williams’ Beylerbeyi who is a warm favourite but doesn’t necessarily look to have stones in hand for me. He’s sure to appreciate the step up in trip back to two miles having been beaten over shorter twice but I wouldn’t swap the Duke with anything and arrive here full of confidence.
By Hector Crouch
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