Jockey Hector Crouch has a busy weekend, starting with a well-backed horse for trainer Ralph Beckett in the lucky last on Day1 of Newmarket’s July Festival.
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview: July 9th 2026
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview: Friday at York
Friday looks a good book of rides at York, starting with Tilted Kilt (2.10) in the opener over seven furlongs. He made a winning reappearance on the all-weather at Southwell, and may need to improve based on the best of his turf form.
The Summer Stakes looks the perfect race for Michael Bell’s Spicy Marg (2.40) who looks my best chance of a winner this weekend. This looked the ideal race for her ever since she made a winning step up to today’s trip at Newmarket towards the end of last season.
She didn’t stay a mile on her return in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, and it was a sensible decision to drop her back down to six furlongs. The ground was slower than ideal in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, and she looked better than ever when second at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Connections were toying with the idea of running her in The July Cup, but she would need to be supplemented and this looks the ideal race for her – especially getting 6lb from her elders.
Get Outta Here (3.55) was beaten by the finest of margins last time out at Goodwood, and should be able to go one better from a 3lb higher mark. He loves fast ground, and was suited by conditions to win on his penultimate start at Lingfield. A nose separated him and Annastarzy at Goodwood and with the winner scoring subsequently that form looks strong.
There aren’t many more tough and consistent horses than Beach Point (4.30) who goes for the handicap over a mile and a quarter. He’s something of an enigmatic individual and likes to be held up, so should have the race run to suit. The ground might be a bit on the quick side for him but he’s down to his last winning mark and should have a chance.
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview: Saturday at Salisbury
There’s plenty of racing on Saturday but I’m at Salisbury for what looks on paper some very good rides starting with the unbeaten Undiscovered (5.36) in the 7f Novice Stakes. He looked a nice horse when winning here last month over six furlongs and his work has been good since. There’s no reason why he can’t follow-up under a penalty.
March of Time (6.08) was much better than the bare result when third on debut at Windsor. The winner was rated 90 and had the benefit of race experience, and our lad will have learnt a lot that day. With further improvement expected, and getting 7lb from last time out winner Vanillas Skies, he can hopefully shed the maiden tag at the second time of asking.
It’s always an honour to put on the royal silks and it can hopefully be hats off for The King with Food for Thought (6.40) in the mile and a quarter handicap. He looked to settle much better when making all last time out at Nottingham, settling much better than on his penultimate start at Chester. He can hopefully progress further and follow-up on handicap debut.
I made the trip to Ripon last month to ride Zen Diva (7.40) who got off the mark at the fourth time of asking, and now bids to follow-up now sent handicapping. She did the job well last time out in first-time cheekpieces, and it’s interesting to see that they are removed on her next start. She will love the forecast quick ground, and is entitled to carry on improving.
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