Hector Crouch pays tribute to Billy Loughnane as the 20-year-old prepares to become the youngest Champion Jockey in more than a century. The kwiff columnist also previews his Friday rides at Haydock and Saturday’s Champions Day at Ascot, including his thoughts on the Champion Stakes.
The racing world moves thick and fast after good weekends at Longchamp and Newmarket, and I’ve got a busy day at Haydock on Friday before two rides on Champions Day at Ascot.
Saturday will see Billy Loughnane crowned Champion Jockey in what is a huge accomplishment for the 20-year-old.
Hector Crouch on Billy Loughnane’s historic achievement
‘Billy The Kid’ is the youngest Champion Jockey for more than 100 years and it’s in no small part down to his durability, work ethic and professionalism.
Nobody has ridden anywhere near the number of horses over the past 12 months, let alone winners, and it’s a testament to his durability and ability to stay free of injury and suspension.
He’s a great lad and has an unbelievable future.
Hector Crouch’s Friday rides at Haydock – October 16
He will be riding against us at Haydock on Friday, where I’ve got a good book of rides starting with Top of the World (1.42) for trainer Michael Bell in the Maiden Stakes over a mile.
It’s his first day of school so he’s likely to come on bundles for this, but looks to have a smart pedigree with lots of stamina, so could cause something of an upset if it’s turned into a real test.
It’s always nice to put on the royal silks and Food For Thought (2.17) should appreciate the softer ground ahead of the Mile Handicap.
She was very unlucky to bump into the progressive Silver Lake earlier in the season at Salisbury and has run well subsequently in tough handicaps at Newmarket and York.
She found the ground a little bit too lively last time out on the Rowley Mile and will be much better suited to the test of Haydock.
Another likely to love the ground on Friday is Vidmiyr (2.52), who I was successful on at Chester two starts back, and was far from disgraced there when bidding to follow up from a 5lb higher mark.
The key to him is the ground, the wetter the better, and he will love conditions at Haydock.
The same can be said about Michael Bell’s filly Resemblance (3.27) in the 7f Nursery after a successful start handicapping last time out at Ffos Las.
She will relish the test of Haydock and should be following up from a 5lb higher mark.
The softer the better for Woolisle (5.07), who finished last season with good efforts in Nottingham handicaps after the rain had come.
She’s got a career-high mark to defy but ran well here on her seasonal reappearance over six furlongs and won’t have any issues dropping back to the minimum trip.
Gone By (5.37) has attracted plenty of support already and I can see why based on her earlier efforts before being outclassed in Listed company last time out at Newmarket.
She had a progressive profile before that and won’t have any stamina concerns stepping up to a mile and three quarters.
The ground was too quick for her last time out and there’s a good chance she’ll improve for today’s conditions.
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Hector Crouch’s Champions Day preview – Saturday, October 17
I’ve two rides at Ascot on Champions Day, where the 1-2-3 from last year’s Champion Stakes all renew rivalries in what looks an absolute thriller on paper.
Add in Aidan O’Brien’s French Derby and Eclipse Stakes winner Constitution River and Arc runner-up Bay City Roller and it’s a race loaded with quality.
Champion Stakes: Almaqam (4.00) could be the forgotten horse
All the focus will be on the ‘big two’ who have enjoyed some great tussles over the last 18 months or so, but Almaqam (4.00) could be the forgotten horse of the race.
Trainer Ed Walker has done fantastically with the five-year-old, who continues to improve with age.
He was four lengths behind Calandagan here 12 months ago but is a 7lb better horse on official ratings compared to last year and he looks too big at the prices.
| More Champions Day betting tips |
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| Looking for more selections from Saturday’s card? Read Dave Massey’s top five Ascot tips for Champions Day 2026. |
Hector Crouch’s Saturday rides: Jasour and Valvano
My two rides at Ascot are Jasour (2.05) in the Champion Sprint and Valvano (4.35) in the closing one-mile Balmoral Handicap, and both have a lot to do.
Jasour has had a wind operation but has a lot to find on official ratings with the likes of Almeraq, whilst Valvano has a lot of quality but often lets himself down.
He could run well, but would probably appreciate a bit more rain.
Hector Crouch’s weekend rides at a glance
| Day | Racecourse | Time | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Haydock | 1.42 | Top of the World |
| Friday | Haydock | 2.17 | Food For Thought |
| Friday | Haydock | 2.52 | Vidmiyr |
| Friday | Haydock | 3.27 | Resemblance |
| Friday | Haydock | 5.07 | Woolisle |
| Friday | Haydock | 5.37 | Gone By |
| Saturday | Ascot | 2.05 | Jasour |
| Saturday | Ascot | 4.35 | Valvano |
Race times and selections are based on the information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change.
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