Group 1 winning jockey Hector Crouch heads to first Sandown and then Haydock for some tasty weekend rides, and look forward to stellar book on Old Newton Cup Day this Saturday.
Hector Crouch: Weekend Rides at Sandown and Haydock
Hector Crouch: Weekend Rides at Sandown
Sandown is this weekend’s first port of call, for two good rides starting with Rogue Supremacy (3.00) in The Dragon Stakes over the minimum trip. He looked decent when making a winning debut, and wasn’t beaten far in The Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. I think he will want further than today’s 5f trip but he should appreciate Sandown’s stiff finish and wouldn’t be the first horse to run down the field at Royal Ascot, before bouncing back quickly after.
My other ride is Gold Star Hero (3.35) in the 3yo Handicap over the minimum trip. He ran a blinder to finish 5th in the 3yo Dash on Derby Day at Epsom, I don’t think he handled the track that day, and he did well to finish where he did in spite of those circumstances. He is another likely to appreciate Sandown’s stiff finish and I think he looks over-priced from an unrevised mark of 85.
Hector Crouch: Weekend Rides at Haydock
My agent has been very busy and I’ve got, what looks on paper, a good book of rides for Old Newton Cup Day at Haydock. I start with Prince of the Seas (2.05) stepping up in trip for the 3yo Handicap over a mile and six furlongs. He’s a horse we had high hopes for in the spring, but he disappointed in first the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, and then The Lingfield Derby Trial finishing down the field on both occasions. He’s been gelded since then and makes his debut handicapping from a mark of 95 – if he’s anywhere near the horse we thought he could be then this represents a good opportunity to get back on track.
It may look a bit strange to be doing my lowest riding weight aboard Nuit (2.40) in The Lancashire Oaks but there is some method to the madness. Estrange will be a likely warm favourite, and rightly so based on her Pinnacle Stakes success here over course and distance 5 weeks ago. However, she would need cut in the ground and there’s a good chance she will be a NR if the forecast rain doesn’t materialise. If so, then it’s a three runner race with a good chance of finishing second at the very least. Henry de Bromhead’s string remain in very good form and hopefully the well-bred filly Nuit can gain a bit of invaluable black type.
Hector Crouch: Haydock Fancies
I ride Box to Box (3.15) in the feature Old Newton Cup with the 6yo an absolute model handicapper who should give a good go of it once more for connections. He was a game winner here at the track last time out and loves it around the place. The handicapper has raised him 6lb for that and, despite running against much more unexposed types, I think he’ll run a good race.
Liosa (3.50) arguably has better form on the all-weather but is a likeable type who looked good when scoring at Kempton earlier in the spring. I rode her when she finished third at Salisbury over five furlongs, and looking in need of a step up in trip, and she remains in good form.
Gorak (4.25) is one that I do think has a very good chance for the in-form yard of Charlie Fellowes over his preferred 7f trip. He didn’t get home over an extended trip last time out at Chester when attempting to make home and should be at home in conditions here this weekend. The handicapper has taken another 2lb off and that should see him right in the mix.
The good folk at kwiff reminded me that I have a 100% strike rate – 4 winners from 4 rides – when riding for trainer Richard Hughes the past 12 months and I put that record on the line when sat aboard Sea Baaeed (4.55) in the lucky last.
He looked a good prospect when making a winning debut last season, and was a good second at Salisbury when I rode the winner (El Matador) who is a nice type for the Ralph Beckett yard and has followed-up under a penalty since. The drop back to 6f didn’t suit last time out at Leicester and I think he is very capable of bouncing back now returning to his preferred 7f trip.
Please note that the information provided in this Hector Crouch Weekend Preview article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
