It was a successful trip to Chester midweek for jockey Hector Crouch, who is York bound for this week’s Dante Meeting 2025. Read his thoughts ahead of four top-class rides exclusively for kwiff.
Dante Meeting 2025: Hector Crouch at York
Hector Crouch: More WInners
It was nice to win aboard Lady Vivian at Chester on Thursday – having put her up as my best ride of the week in last week’s column. She’s a nice filly who will be now be looking for black type. Another impressive performance was Society Kiss in the 5f Novice Stakes at Ascot.
She was supposedly very quick as a breeze up horse, and showed a lot of ability when making a winning debut – in a track record – at Ascot. I think she could end up being pretty smart too, and will probably now be aimed at The Queen Mary at next month’s royal meeting.
Her success shows what can be done in terms of horse ownership too. She only cost 55,000 gns – I say only, I realise it’s a lot but some horses goes for much, much more – but with that Ascot win and a GB Bonus she’s already collected £41k back, and the owners have a nice day at Royal Ascot to look forward to next month. Fingers crossed she can go onto further success before the end of the season.
Hector Crouch: Dante Meeting 2025
I have two rides both Wednesday and Thursday ahead of what looks a brilliant few days of racing on The Knavesmire. Goodwood, and probably Ascot aside, York is easily one of the best racecourses in the country and you’re guaranteed both quality group races and competitive handicaps.
Some good horses have won the Musidora and I am hoping Tattycoram (3.45) can add her name to the impressive roll of honour. She got off the mark at the third time of asking last month at Sandown, showing a nice attitude to win well under Rossa at Sandown. She’s got a lot of stamina and I hope the race ends up being a true test. Tattycoram needs to improve to rival the market principles but this race often throws up something of a surprise (3 of the last 4 winners being a double figure price) so fingers crossed we can cause something of an upset.
Dante Meeting 2025: Rare Change
I am getting down to my lowest riding weight to partner Rare Change (4.18) for trainer Richard Hughes in the 7f Handicap, after bolting-up last week at Windsor. He’s due to go up 8lb for that success, so is officially well in under a 6lb penalty for that three length success. That was over a furlong shorter, but he won going away and I think he should be fine stepping up in trip. I think he has a very good chance.
Dante Meeting 2025: Thursday
I’m delighted to have Doha (3.13) around for another season, with last season’s Royal Ascot heroine back as a 5yo thanks to Al Shaqab Racing. She danced plenty of dances last season, finishing an excellent second behind Tamfana at Goodwood, and then winning on soft ground at listed level over in France. This is just a starting point ahead of a busy campaign for her but she’s in good order and should go well. I’m looking forward to her this season a lot.
Dante Meeting 2025: Wimbledon Hawkeye
The Dante Stakes looks a wide open race if you take the favourite out of the equation – the only problem is that he could be anything! The Lion in Winter couldn’t have been more impressive in his two starts last year and comes here with maximum respect for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
Whether he is fully tuned-up on his seasonal debut is up for debate however, and I’m really looking forward to Wimbledon Hawkeye (3.45) stepping up in trip for trainer James Owen. He was tough and hardy last season as a 2yo; winning The Royal Lodge at Newmarket and third in the Gp 1 Vernon Futurity Stakes at Doncaster in October.
He ran well in both The Craven Stakes and The 2000 Guineas, looking in need of a step up in trip and expected to improve for today’s trip. If the favourite isn’t quite 100% at it then our lad will be keeping him honest and will battle hard towards the line. Wimbledon Hawkeye has 6lb to find with the favourite but is the second highest rated in the field and looks over–priced at around the 13/2 mark for me.
By Hector Crouch
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