Red-hot jockey Hector Crouch is back amongst the winners and travels to both York and Ascot this weekend in search of further success. Read his exclusive column with kwiff, looking at his latest rides.
Hector Crouch: Revoir Revved Up for York
It’s been another successful week, with a nice 2yo winner for a William Knight at Salisbury and a nice double at Lingfield amongst the highlights. I rode a nice debutant for Jane Chapple-Hyam with Birgham Dub doing it well – despite missing the start.
He dived right exiting the gates but they went a steady enough pace for him to make up ground and showed a good attitude to win well in the closing stages. He’ll make a lovely 3yo and there’s plenty of group races for connections to aim at towards the second half of the season.
Hector Crouch: Friday at York
The main reason for my visit to York is to partner Revoir (7.48) in the Listed Lyric Fillies’ Stakes over a mile and a quarter. It obviously means a significant drop in class, having last ran in The Oaks at Epsom, but it should hopefully mean a much better chance of getting her head in front.
The filly was a good second on her seasonal debut at Newbury, and reversed the form with the winner when finishing sixth in The Oaks. She will get a mile and a half in time but at the moment I think the mile and a quarter trip probably suits her more and I think the drop back will suit. If she’s as good as we hope she is – she should be taking this.
Elsewhere, I ride Pressure’s On (5.30) in the opening 7f Handicap with a good chance for the in-form yard of Ed Dunlop. He was very well-backed when failing to stay in the Spring Mile at Doncaster and has disappointed on his last couple of starts on the all-weather. I think he’s a better horse on the grass, especially with a bit of cut in the ground, and he looks well-handicapped to bounce back.
Zooter (6.38) was far from disgraced when down the field in The Chesham Stakes on debut last month at Royal Ascot and will be better suited by the calmer waters of a York maiden. He needs to make a good step forward, and it will be interesting to see see what level he is at.
Hector Crouch: Saturday at Ascot
The first of four rides on King George Day at Ascot is King of Thunder (1.10) for trainer Hugo Palmer and Manor House Stables. They seem to have a good crop of 2yos this season, so it will be interesting to see how the Night of Thunder colt shapes on debut. I expect him to be fully tuned-up and hopefully he can go close to making a winning debut.
Chantilly Lace (2.20) has ran two stormers to finish fifth in both the 1000 Guineas and The Coronation Stakes and takes a drop back in class for the Valiant Stakes. If she runs up to that level, and the current weight for age scales for 3yos, she will be hard to beat. I like her a lot.
The handicapper has dropped Zoum Zoum (3.00) a pound for finishing down the field at Royal Ascot, and may hopefully tip the scales in his favour. He was a good fifth here in The Jersey Stakes last year and both the trip and ground will suit. He has to concede weight all round but is a classy horse and will love Ascot’s straight seven furlongs.
Venezuelan (4.45) was probably a bit unlucky to finish third at Redcar, when just losing concentration in front to eventually finish third. The first-time blinkers should help his chances and he looks to have outstanding claims stepping up in trip for the mile and a half handicap.
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