Jockey Hector Crouch tasted listed success in the week at Newmarket and is back there Friday, ahead of another busy weekend. Read his weekend preview, exclusivoely for kwiff.
Hector Crouch Weekend Previe: June 26th 2026
It was nice to get some black type success on Thursday with Havan Spirit sharing the spoils in a dead heat on The July Course. It’s trainer James Tate’s first horse with the guys at Valmont, and she showed a great attitude to dead heat the finish and almost cling on for us. Now that she’s tasted listed success, we’ll be hopefully moving into group company, and I could see her running in something like the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot on King George Day.
Hector Crouch: Friday Rides
I’ve two rides at Newmarket on Friday with War Banner (4.45) my best chance of a winner in the opening 6f Fillies’ Novice Stakes. She’s bred to be smart – her mum was a listed winner as a juvenile and by Dark Angel she should be speedy enough. She’s a nice horse and hopefully goes well on debut.
My other ride is Powdering (5.50) in the 6f Handicap. The 6yo has tumbled down the weights, to the point where she is 3lb below her last winning mark. The best of her form is on the all-weather but she was a winner here at the course (admittedly on The Rowley Mile) a couple of years ago and she potentially well-handicapped on the pick of her old form.
Hector Crouch: Saturday Rides
It’s one of the biggest Saturday meetings up north ahead of The Northumberland Plate, and it should be packed all three days at Newcastle this weekend. I ride Moon Over Miami (3.15) in the feature £150,000 handicap and with it all to do since being drawn in 19 of 20. The 5yo was far from disgraced when fourth last time out at Goodwood, and has been dropped a couple of pounds for his troubles. He should be suited by the likely strong pace, and has always looked like having the ability to win a race of this ilk.
Elsewhere on the card, Zoum Zoum (2.10) has to find almost a stone against the market principles in the Gp 3 Chipchase Stakes over 6f. He’s another who stays a bit further and will be suited by the strong gallop, but may be one to catch right later in the season on his preferred softer ground.
Topwarrior (3.45) never went a yard when beating one home on Derby Day at Epsom, but the ground was atrocious that day and you can put a line through that run. He’s another that needs to bounce back, and is probably in the grip of the handicapper at present.
Hector Crouch: Sunday Rides
Vichenza (3.15) is probably the pick of my three rides at Wolverhampton on Sunday. The filly has finished third in both career starts, and can hopefully continue her progression now upped in trip to seven furlongs for the first time.
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