Hector Crouch has been in flying form as of late, winning with 4 of his last 9 rides entering Thursday’s meeting at Lingfield and has a busy weekend with good chances at Newmarket and Windsor. Read his exclusive thoughts in his weekly kwiff column.
Hector Crouch Busy Weekend: August 21st 2025
Hector Crouch: French Success
Deauville proved a good trip, with Cape Orator winning a valuable sales race in style. That was over six and a half furlongs, but I see him proving to be a better horse over further in time. He’s a really nice horse and it’s good to have options about his next target. There’s another big pot in a similar race at Longchamp on Arc weekend, so he may need his passport again soon!
There have been a few nice winners in the week too, for a variety of trainers. Tierra Del Toro (bull’s hat maybe if my Spanish is any good?) shed the maiden tag and looks another nice horse for Ralph (Beckett) and Valmont and could be set for a step up class on his next start. I thought Our Cody ran well to finish 4th at a big price in Listed Company at Newbury over the minimum trip. She can hopefully get some black type before the end of the season.
Hector Crouch: Newmarket (Friday)
I’ve got the short commute to Newmarket on Friday with, what looks on paper, a good book of rides. My first ride is the debutant On Message (2.00) who comes from a nice family and boasts a nice pedigree. He should want a longer trip next season as a 3yo but it looks a good starting point and she will be fit and ready to go for the in form Ralph Beckett yard.
The Clive Cox yard won the big sales race at York on Thursday, and I’ll be hoping they can have further success with Miss Show Off (3.10) looking to bounce back in the 6f Fillies’ Handicap. She was put up 8lb for winning a good Salisbury handicap and has struggled with the rise but she’s been slowly coming down and the step up to 6f should hopefully see her settle better in her races.
Dylan Cunha’s recent winner Huggable should be very difficult to beat in the 10f Handicap but Ed Dunlop’s Arundel (3.45) has been the model of consistency this season and should be there or thereabouts in what looks a competitive little race. The gelding was well supported when winning a maiden handicap at Pontefract and has been second on his next three starts at Newmarket, Yarmouth and Thirsk. His course and distance second has been franked since and he looks sure to run his race.
Venezeulan (4.20) should be difficult to beat if repeating his recent Lingfield success when bolting-up by 13 lengths. We’ve always thought a lot of him at home and hopefully he starts to show it on a racecourse and follow-up back in handicap company.
Hector Crouch: Windsor (Saturday)
There’s a good card at Windsor for their Winter Hill Stakes card, where I ride Great David (6.45) in the feature Gp 3 contest. He didn’t look to stay 1m 3f last time out at Hamilton and will be better with the drop back in trip. He’s been in great order for the James Tate yard this term, and gets a nice 7lb in weight-for-age from the two older horses.
Elsewhere, Gold Star Hero (5.15) arrives in good order having ran well in competitive handicaps for trainer Michael Bell. I finished 5th on him in the 3yo Dash at Epsom earlier in the season and he’s ran well in tough races thereafter. From a career low mark, and with first time headgear, I think he has a very good chance.
Dartrey (5.45) was beaten a whopping 108 lengths on debut at Chelmsford.. but that doesn’t tell the real story of a really nice 2yo who almost veered off the track and was quickly eased by Edward Greatrex. He boasts a nice pedigree and has worked really well at home. Providing I can keep him on the track he can hopefully make amends.
Just five go to post for the Listed August Stakes and Thunder Run (6.15) in with a good chance for trainer Karl Burke. He knows how to get his head in front, winning 4 of his 9 career starts, and should go close if translating his York form to south of the border,
George Baker’s Mafnood (7.15) found trouble in-running last time out at Brighton and looked better than the bare result when third under jockey Jim Crowley. The 4yo was having his first start over a mile and looked to really appreciate the step up in trip. With a clear passage, he has a very good chance.
Stablemate Marmalade Kid (7.45) is another to thrive for the step up in trip when third over a mile and a half last time out at Bath. The gelded son of Expert Eye had previously struggled over shorter trips but stayed the longer trip well and should prove better than a 55-rated handicapper.
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
