Jockey Hector Crouch enjoyed a stellar treble on New Year’s Day at Southwell and, after a brief excursion to the Swiss Alps, is back riding at Lingfield on Saturday. Hopefully after a cracking start to the new season, it isn’t downhill from here. Read his exclusive update with kwiff.
Hector Crouch: Back Riding, Jan 9th 2026
It was nice to be in and amongst the winners and kick the season off on New Year’s Day. It was arguably one of the strongest books of ride you’ll find, so it was obviously good to ride three winners – and it might have been even more had we had the rub of the green.
Dartney proved to be a handicap good thing, winning from a nice opening mark ,and has followed-up there at Southwell twice thereafter. I think most could have won riding him from a mark of 56 in hindsight! Bint Kilfrush was good, she was a bit green in the opening stages but stayed on strongly like she does on the gallops. Stablemate Blue RC did the job nicely from a mark of 94 and will be even better when he gets a strong pace to run at.
Hector Crouch: Dandy Khan
The holiday was timed well with baltic temperatures back home and lots of racing abandoned. I’ve come back however, and partner Dandy Khan (11.40) in the Lingfield opener for trainer Jim Boyle.
She has been a revelation the last couple of months, winning 3 of her last 4 starts and was probably good value for more than the winning distance last time out here over seven furlongs. That was my fault as I was probably in front too soon, and just idled in front. The handicapper has raised her two pounds for that but I think there’s more to come and she’ll be better suited running over a mile.
Trainer Tony Carroll probably holds all the aces here with three runners, including las time out winner Francesi and the consistent Three on Thursday but we have a nice draw in stall one and think we go there with a favorites chance.
Hector Crouch: January
My agent is off for the next couple of weeks so I might have a few less rides, but will still be ticking along, weather permitting of course. It’s been a nice start to the season, and a nice strike rate (8 winners and 8 places from 22 rides the last 14 days) so hopefully its a good omen for 2026.
By Hector Crouch
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