Hector Crouch is north-bound this afternoon ahead of four rides on Thursday at Newcastle. The classic winning jockey celebrated a treble at Kempton Wednesday, his second of the month thus far, and has a strong weekend of rides across cards from Newcastle, Wolverhampton and Lingfield. Read his latest preview exclusively for kwiff readers below.
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview, Jan 22nd 2026
Hector Crouch: Thursday Rides at Newcastle
Wednesday was a good day with three winners for the stables of Robert Stephens, James Tate and Ed Walker respectively. The 148/1 treble was a bit of a surprise because all three had good chances, but it rarely works out that way, and all three were good value for their successes.
I’ve got another four rides at Newcastle on Thursday starting with Saahir (3.55) in the opening Mile and a Half Handicap. The 4yo was a beaten favourite when well-backed when upped in trip on handicap debut earlier in the month at Kempton but clearly has a bit of talent and hopefully he can make amends and justify market support this evening.
Another that has shown little but seems all the rage in the market is Contorno (5.00) for the Tom Tate yard in the 5f Handicap. I don’t know much about the horse but he seems to be all the rage in the market, despite showing little in four career starts, so hopefully the enthusiasm is justified!
The Mile Handicap looks wide open and Tribal Wisdom (5.30) has conditions to suit to defy a career-high mark. The gelded son of Frankel has won 3 times since returning from a short break in October, winning at Southwell on his return, and twice at Wolverhampton thereafter. The handicapper has had his say, raising him 11lb, but he ran a good third last time out at Southwell and should be suited by a strong pace and something to aim at.
Night Storm (6.30) is my best chance of a winner and was the one that saw me ear-mark a trip north when seeing the initial entries. The Night of Thunder colt was a good winner of a maiden at Newcastle, before following-up under a penalty in a Wolverhampton novice. I was impressed by the manager of both successes and, from an opening mark of 87, think he could complete the hat-trick on his handicap debut.
Hector Crouch: Friday Rides at Wolverhampton
I go to Wolverhampton for one ride on Friday with perennial bridesmaid Cardinal Point (4.40) hopefully getting her moment in the sun for trainer Michael Bell. The filly has been a runner-up on four successive starts but she gave me a good feel when I scored on her at Chelmsford earlier in the year. I wouldn’t describe her as ungenuine just hasn’t had the rub of the green but a strongly-run mile and a half should suit her well on Friday and she remains a filly that will win races.
Hector Crouch: Saturday Rides at Lingfield
I have three rides on Saturday at Lingfield, including two for trainer Charlie Wallis starting with Fiorella Princess (1.43) in the 5f Handicap. The well-bred filly defied her odds of 33/1 when a good second last time out at Chelmsford, chasing home a well backed favourite, and a replication of that level of form can see her go one better from a pound higher mark.
Enough Already (2.14) has tumbled down the weights since moving over from across The Irish Sea and has shown enough on his last two starts to warrant a good each way chance. He should improve for the step up in trip to a mile and a half and is chucked in on the best of his old form is defying a wide draw in stall ten.
The consistent Woodhay Whisper (4.00) will love the ferocious pace of the 6f Handicap having looked a bit flat over the minimum trip last time out. A fast-paced 0-65 with something to aim at is exactly what she’s looking for and despite a hike in the weights remains in excellent fettle.
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