Hot jockey Hector Crouch is back amongst the winners, five in the last week, and heads to first Hamilton on Friday evening, and then Haydock for a bumper book of rides on Saturday.
Hector Crouch Weekend Preview: July 17th 2025
It was nice to be back amongst the winners, after a bit of a luckless run of fortune the week prior. It culminated in Parole D’Oro finishing an agonising second at Newmarket’s July Meeting. I thought he’d won – his trainer thought he’d won – but he was just on the wrong side of the bob and these things happen. He’s still a very talented 3yo colt and I think he could win races. I could see him going to Goodwood for the Goodwood Mile Handicap on the Friday, or could see him potentially suited with a further step up in trip.
Another nice horse that I won on was Bosa Nova who maintained her unbeaten record winning nicely at York under a penalty. She’s entered in The Lowther and the big sales races at thei Ebor meeting and could potentially be heading for a trip back to The Knavesmire. Interestingly, she’s been given a handicap mark of 83, and think that underestimates her. She’s a nice filly.
Hector Crouch: Hamilton Rides
I head to Hamilton – the first time I’ve been there since the corresponding card 12 months ago to ride Square D’Alboni (7.10) in The Listed Glasgow Stakes. He disappointed on his seasonal debut when last of 8 in The Chester Vase but had been progressive last season, completing the hat-trick in listed company over in France.
You can probably put a line through that race in May, when Ralph’s were struggling a bit and I think he still remains a very classy horse. He’s clear on ratings, and shouldn’t be as big a price as he is. John Gosden’s colt (Nahraan) looks exciting but ours has form in the book and I wouldn’t be swapping him for anything else in the line-up.
Hector Crouch: Haydock Rides
There’s a good book of rides ahead of Haydock, starting with Volto di Medusa (6.25) making her debut for the Jack Jones yard. He had previously lost his way with former connections and, with a good record fresh, is well-handicapped if fit on seasonal debut.
It’s nice to ride the famous silks belonging to connections of Birgham Dub (7.30) on debut for the in-form yard of Jane Chapple-Hyam. He boasts a nice pedigree, and cost a few quid, so fingers crossed can go close to making a winning racecourse debut.
Brize Norton (8.00) is another that is worth a second chance, after finishing last of 5 last time out at Sandown. I attempted to make all, and thought I had the field beat when kicking at the furlong pole but he found very little in the closing stages. The form of his previous success at Kempton has worked out well – as has that last run to be fair – and I think he’s worth another go.
Bright Times Ahead (8.30) looked a filly with a bright future when winning on debut last November at Newmarket. She ran no race in The Fred Darling back in the spring, in what was a bit of a messy race, but remains a filly with a lot of potential and should be able to get back on track here.
The filly Smooth Silesie (9,00) goes in the closing five furlong handicap, and is as honest and game as they come. She likes to be ridden prominently and is an out and out sprinter who just about gets the minimum trip. She was a winner on similar ground last year at Bath and Nottingham and is well-handicapped to bounce back to winning ways.
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