Jockey Hector Crouch signed off 2025 with 157 UK winners after two midweek winners, and has some exciting New Year’s Day Rides ahead of Southwell’s opener to 2026. Read his exclusive preview ahead of a busy upcoming year!
Hector Crouch: Huge New Year’s Day Rides 2026
New Year’s Day Rides: Bint Kilfrush (1.20)
I was fortunate to have a good record for trainer James Tate in 2025 (25% Strike Rate and over 50% win+place) and touchwood can continue that for the yard this year. The debutant Bint Kilfrush (1.20) has a lovely pedigree (by Sea The Stars and out of an Australia mare) and will probably want further in time but looks a nice type and this looks a nice starting point for her. She’s been working well at home, and she can hopefully run with credit on her first day of school.
New Year’s Day Rides: Generous Rascal (1.55)
Ollie Cole’s Generous Rascal (1.55) has been a quick improver after learning plenty on his debut at Windsor in September. He shed the maiden tag nicely at Kempton on his next start and, for my eye, ran even better when second to a really nice horse of Al Shaqab when giving the winner 12lb. Those two runs were over six furlongs, and I think he’ll improve for the extra 200 yards. An opening mark of 78 seems fair, and the handicapper has given us a chance. From a nice draw in stall three, I think he has a very good chance.
New Year’s Day Rides: Ten Pounds (2.30)
There are high hopes for Ten Pounds (2.30) who cost a few quid for new connections at the Horses in Training sales, and makes his debut for new trainer Joey Ramsden in the feature 6f Handicap. He was very progressive for former connections, and winning 5 of 10 career starts under the stewardship of Harry and Roger Charlton. He must concede weight all round but is a very classy horse, that we have high hopes for. Fingers crossed he can go some way to repaying his price-tag and bring in the New Year in style.
New Year’s Day Rides: Dartrey (3.05)
Dartrey (3.05) was beaten 108 lengths on debut when almost putting Eddie Greatrex in The Silver Ring, and he’s been slow to mature and learn his job on the track. We had high hopes for him, because he had previously worked very well in the spring – hence why he was sent off at even money on racecourse debut. He’s just taken a while to come round, and some horse are like that. He starts with a basement mark, and with a bit of maturity he should prove better than a 56-rated handicapper we hope.
New Year’s Day Rides: Ar Diddy Dum Dum (3.44)
Deva Racing and James Owen have enjoyed plenty of success with improving horses from elsewhere, and Ar Diddy Dum Dum (3.44) looks another to hopefully score for new connections. The well-bred filly showed glimpses for former trainer Jamie Insole last season, including a good second in a competitive 7f Nursery at Haydock. Back in trip, with a good draw, he can make it 4th time lucky for new connections.
New Year’s Day Rides: Blue RC (4.50)
I rate Blue RC (4.50) as my best chance of a winner on the card on the back of an excellent second last time out at Chelmsford. He’s finished in the first 2 in 6/7 career starts and was a bit unlucky last time out, in a race that turned into something of a sprint and he got going too late. The longer straight at Southwell should see him have a good chance of getting going and stay on powerfully in the closing stages. He’s the one to beat.
New Year’s Day Rides: Stanley Spencer (5.20)
Stanley Spencer (5.20) has been in great form as of late, and done well despite always been given the worst of the draws! It’s the same again here (drawn 11 of 12) but he’s a tough and consistent sort who will relish conditions. I’ve ridden his two latest starts here, finishing first and second in competitive 6f Handicaps, and he should go well from a 4lb rise at the weights.
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