Hector Crouch has flown off the cold list, riding plenty of winners midweek, and is first Kempton and then Ascot bound this weekend with some excellent chances. Read his exclusive updates, each and every week for kwiff below.
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview: Kempton & Ascot
It was nice to bounce back from being on the cold list, thanks to Ralph Beckett’s Man of La Mancha scoring at Sandown on Friday. He’s been a consistent type and it was nice to see him get his head in front. In Saturday’s feature, Skellet defied an almost race-stopping incident early on to run and finish third and get some valuable black type for connections. She was down on her nose after clipping heels early in the race, but rallied well to stay on strongly up Sandown’s infamous stiff finish. She will have other races to get her head back in front near the back end of the season.
Hector Crouch: Kempton Rides (Friday)
I am Kempton bound on Friday with two very smart horses looking to shed their respective maiden tags. The first is Joulany (5.47) who is co-owned by the powerhouses of Amo Racing, Al Shaqab and Valmont Racing. He was an expensive yearling and impressed at the breeze-ups, and after sitting on there’s a lot to like. He’s a full brother to Shadwell’s brilliant Al Aasy, and is bred to be smart. I think he’ll go close on debut.
Another bidding to shed the maiden tag is Helmsley (6.47) who ran well here at the track when last seen here in November. She was beaten just a length in a warm maiden here over course and distance, surprising us all at the Ralph Beckett yard because she does so little at home. She’s been off a long time and hasn’t shown us a lot at home, but that’s just her way. She’s fit and well and should run well.
Hector Crouch: Ascot Rides (Saturday)
Ascot could prove a very good day, with a strong book of rides starting with Lost Boys (1.40) for trainer David Menuisier in the opening maiden over the round mile. He ran a great race on debut when third in a warm race at Newbury, the second winning since, and has come out of the race well. I spoke to David (Menuisier) earlier in the week and he’s come on a lot from his first run. The Night of Thunder colt should appreciate the forecast soft ground and he looks to have a good chance.
Akkadian Warrior (2.40) is one of six for trainer David O’Meara in the competitive 7f Handicap, after being unlucky over course and distance here a few weeks ago. He’s something of a 7f specialist, including second in the corresponding race 12 months ago. Akkadian Warrior is now 6lb higher than that effort here last season but is even better this season and has been given a chance with the handicapper taking a couple of pounds off.
Hector Crouch: Push The Limit
I am very excited to sit aboard Push The Limit (3.15) again in the mile and a half handicap for trainer Ralph Beckett. We have been very patient with the son of Le Havre; skipping Royal Ascot in pursuit of soft ground that thankfully came at Glorious Goodwood. The patience paid off with him winning, despite a bit of trouble in running, to win quite comfortably in the end. The handicapper has had his say, raising him 7lb, but I think we’re still ahead of our mark and I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t follow-up. He’s my best chance this weekend.
Treasure (3.50) was a good season on her seasonal reappearance at Nottingham, and has conditions to suit to hopefully go one better in the Fillies’ Handicap over the straight mile. She narrowly failed in her bid to concede weight all round at Nottingham, and then failed to stay when upped to a mile and a quarter last time out at York. She’s a big filly and should like the ground, and can hopefully concede the weight.
Fast Track Henry (4.25) ran a blinder when narrowly touched off in the big 6f Handicap on York’s Macmillan card back in June and a replication of that level of form should see him go close here at Ascot. He is bred to relish the underfoot conditions, and was impressive when making a winning debut on soft ground last season at Newbury. Clive’s string remain in good nick and this well-bred son of Harry Angel looks primed to run another big race.
Woolhampton (4.55) landed the finale on the same card here 12 months ago and bids to land back-to-back renewals from just a 2lb higher mark. She bolted-up on her preferred soft ground last time out at Sandown and, despite the handicapper raising accordingly, she still looks to be well-treated at the weights. Trainer Rod Millman has his string in good order, and the filly normally comes into her own at this time of the year.
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