Classic-winning jockey Hector Crouch is back with kwiff to discuss his lead at the top of the All Weather Jockeys Championship, on the eve of the start of the British flat season.
Hector Crouch: More Winners
It was nice to ride another couple of good winners in the week, with both Infantry Officer and Forest Flyer winning nicely for the in-form yard of Michael Bell. The ride on the latter got a few plaudits, but I didn’t think it was anything necessarily spectacular – 99% of jockeys would have made a similar move I made and it was just a case of when, not if, we kicked on.
I personally got more satisfaction on the winning ride aboard Infantry Officer earlier in the week, making a winning handicap debut at Wolverhampton. There were a lot of unknowns entering into the race; he had never raced beyond seven furlongs and was running against lots of inexperienced horses. He was very keen for the opening half of the race, but I was able to settle him and he came clear to win well. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t out under a penalty again in the next week or so.
Hector Crouch: Frustrations
That’s now 4 winners from my last 9 rides, and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher why I aren’t getting more rides. I’ve been very well-supported by the James Owen yard in particular this winter, and have been helped by the yards of Ralph Beckett and Michael Bell et al, but if you look at the overall volume of rides I have had this winter compared to say the likes of Billy (Loughnane) and Luke (Morris) at the top of the All Weather Jockeys Championship, they’ve both had 100+ and 200+ more rides.
Hector Crouch: Saturday Rides
Kinetic (5.28) has been a great, consistent type all winter and should give his usual bold bid in the mile and a half handicap at Wolverhampton. She was better than the bare result when down the field at Southwell, but loves it at this trip and has a great record here at the course. Back in 0-70 company, this is her grade, and I think she’ll give the favourite a scare. Obviously, Roger Varian’s horse (Bajan Blue) is open to further improvement and could be well-handicapped from a mark of 68. If she doesn’t, then we’ll be there to hopefully take advantage.
Hector Crouch: Plymouth Brethren
Plymouth Brethren looks a nice addition to the James Owen yard, and is one of some nice additions to the yard from The Gredley family. Given his connections, and indeed his pedigree he looks a nice type that will probably need further in time but the yard are well able to ready one first time out and it doesn’t look to be a strong maiden on paper.
Hector Crouch: The Week Ahead
Keep an eye out for a horse called Kate O’Riley (6.30) who runs on Monday at Wolverhampton. She was a late developer last season for trainer Michael Bell but looked smart when the penny dropped the last day in what looks a nice maiden. She takes the step up in trip to a mile and a half and should be competitive on her debut handicapping from an opening mark of 78.
By Hector Crouch
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