Group 1 winning jockey Hector Crouch has joined forces with kwiff to share the life of a top class flat jockey, and reflects on Glorious Goodwood, as well as an excellent book of rides at Haydock on Saturday.
Hector Crouch: Glorious Goodwood
It was great to get a winner last week at Goodwood, even more so for connections. I rode Al Anoud to win the valuable 10f Handicap for Ralph Beckett and Al Shaqab and given the sponsors of the week, The Qatar Goodwood Festival, it was great to ride a winner for connections. The filly has gone up 2lb in the handicap for that, and I think that’s very fair. I think she’s a progressive type going places, and could see her going to York’s Ebor meeting in a couple of weeks next.
Hector Crouch: Sunday Series
It’s been a busy, but good week so far. I rode a good winner at Haydock on Sunday as part of the ‘Sunday Series’ initiative and good prize money there at the track. Leonardo Dax was a good winner of the 6f Maiden, and looks a nice horse for Valmont and Pat Owen. Pat’s a great trainer going places, so it was really nice to get a winner for him in those silks. The horse has plenty of knee so I don’t think he’d want the ground too soft. I can see him getting 7f before the end of the year and a mile next season. He’s a lovely horse.
Hector Crouch: Busy Week
I ride a lot for Michael Bell when possible now, so it was good to ride both of his winners at Chelmsford midweek. Ralph is my main trainer obviously, but I try and ride for Michael whenever possible, and it’s nice to ride winners for him. It’s great when available to partner the good ones!
Hector Crouch: Haydock on Saturday
Haydock is my destination on Saturday for a good book of rides, and INDELIBLE (4.45) my best chance of a winner. The daughter of Midday ran a great race when second last time out at Sandown on Eclipse Day, in something of a messy race.
The ground was a bit softer than ideal, but ultimately it was a frontrunners day, with 6 of the 7 winners either leading or being up with the place. Back on a sounder surface, and in reciept of 7lb and upwards from her elders, I think she boasts excellent claims. She’s a big strong filly who has done physically well this summer. I make her my best chance of a winner on the day.
Hector Crouch; Saturday Runners
Elsewhere on the card, I get to wear the royal colours aboard Serried Ranks. The gelding was a winner twice last season as a juvenile and has first-time headgear looking to rediscover his best form. Should we get a bit of rain overnight, he wouldn’t be without an each way chance.
Another with first-time headgear is Star Mind for trainer Jack Jones in the 3yo Handicap over seven furlongs. He was successful twice over this trip on the all-weather earlier in the season, and should improve for the application of blinkers.
Golden Myrrh (4.10) was unlucky when fourth last time out when a beaten favourite at Beverley but I think he’s better than that and should go well in the Mile Handicap. Beverley can be a ruthless track if caught for room on the turn for home and, with better luck in running, the well-bred Frankel filly can go close again from an unrevised mark.
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