Hector Crouch sits top of the All Weather Jockeys Championship and has a busy weekend of rides at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Read his exclusive thoughts for kwiff below.
Hector Crouch: Big Busy Weekend, January 17th 2025
It’s been another good week, and we keep ticking along with a few winners. High Court Judge was a nice winner for the James Owen yard, whilst Destructive looks a nice horse for Michael Bell after shedding the maiden tag at Wolverhampton.
Hector Crouch at Southwell (Friday)
Weekend Rides: Path to Dubai (5.00)
He made a winning debut here over a mile last season and has been consistent thereafter, including a good second over course and distance last time out. A repeat of that performance should see him close, albeit from a 2lb higher mark.
Weekend Rides: ShipShape (5.30)
He’s a really nice horse, and related to plenty of nice types. Shipshape was quietly fancied on debut at Kempton but was far too green and never stood any chance. He should have learned a lot from that and, despite two smart types at the head of the market, I think he can be competitive.
Weekend Rides: Existent (6.30)
Existent has been the model of consistency, although needs to shed the bridesmaid tag after a run of 33 runs without a win now. I rode him when he was rated over 100 at Ascot a couple of seasons back and know first hand that the ability is there. He has a string of placed efforts to his name and sets a fair standard. He’s been knocking on the door and now looks to have a great chance to get his head back in front.
Weekend Rides: Tiempo Allegre (7.00)
Tiempo Allegre can be a bit cold in her races which makes things a bit difficult, but she has plenty of ability and should benefit for the drop back to a mile after not staying over further last time out. I’ve mentioned her a few times in this column but I remain adamant she has plenty of ability and with a bit more luck in-running can go close from a mark of 65.
Hector Crouch at Wolverhampton (Saturday)
Weekend Rides: Star of Atlantis (5.00)
Star of Atlantis has a good chance of following-up her recent Southwell success in the seven furlongs handicap. Jack Jones has his string in good order of late (25% strike-rate the last fortnight) and I thought she was good value the last day – her and the favourite pulling clear in the closing stage. She’s up 4lb but remains in good form.
Weekend Rides: Radiant Beauty (5.30)
Radiant Beauty stayed on well to win pretty comfortably over course and distance ten days ago. A 4lb rise seems fair, and she is unexposed looks open to further improvement. The Simcock horse looks the big danger having won well in the week and remains a big threat from just a 3lb higher mark.
Weekend Rides: Shaad (6.00)
Shaad was second on debut for new yard in cheekpieces earlier in the season but struggled a bit thereafter. You can tell he has a bit of ability because connections keep trying to unlock the key to him, trying all sorts of headgear in his last few runs. The cheekpieces back on this weekend and I’m hoping he can recapture the best of his form from a career low mark of 48.
Weekend Rides: Red Walls (8.00)
It was good to see Red Walls get his head in front over course and distance last week, and getting a good ride by Eddie Greatrex in the process. He’s gone up 2lb for that, but has a great record over course and distance and can hopefully can follow-up. Likes to be ridden positively so fingers crossed we can get across and get a good position from stall 8.
Weekend Rides: Khangai (8.30)
Khanghai finished third last time out at Newcastle and has it all to do against the reopposing JuJubella who is unpenalised for that Newcastle success in an Apprentice Handicap. That looks very hard to beat if showing up in similar form but Khanghai has been in terrific form since joining James Owen yard, finishing in the first 3 home on his next 8 starts after his initial debut and winning 3 times. All three of those successes have been over this mile and a half trip and he’s not without a chance renewing rivalries on a sharper track.
Khanghai likes a sharper track –
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