Crowley Calls It: “I am really looking forward to riding Tasleet”
Coral’s much-loved racing ambassador offers his views on Saturday at Royal Ascot
I was a bit frustrated with the Norfolk yesterday, but take nothing away from the winner, he is a nice horse. Santry ran a good race and connections are pleased.
Wherever he goes next, whether that be the Nunthorpe or Middle Park, he will be competitive because he is top drawer. In the Ribblesdale Hertford Dancer ran well. I don’t think she is the classiest of the other runners Gosden has, however, I knew she’d stay well. I thought we had nicked it at one stage. There is a lot of talk about the draw but it is just how the races have panned out. The clerk of the course, Chris Stickels, does not want there to be any bias otherwise he gets it in the neck. On the first two days it looked like the stand rails was the place to be and yesterday it was the opposite.
2.30 Albany Stakes – Bartholomeu Dias
I don’t know too much about this horse. He has only had the one run. The Chesham is becoming a tougher race every year, as we saw 12 months ago. This fella will have to step up on what he has done.
3.05 Wolferton Handicap – Khairaat
He won really nicely at Chester. We have a lovely draw and he looks to be a nice progressive type. We just need a bit of luck in running. He has gone up quite a lot in the weights but he has the right type of profile so I am really looking forward to this ride.
3.40 Hardwicke Stakes – Muntahaa
This horse has a rounded knee action so we ran him in the Yorkshire Cup as we thought he wanted soft ground. He didn’t like the ground at all there. He is back up in trip and he ran well here last year so we are hopeful of a nice run.
4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes – Tasleet
I am really looking forward to riding Tasleet in what is a really good race. He was impressive last time on soft ground. We are hopeful of a big run. If he does not mind the faster ground, he should run well.
5.00 Wokingham Stakes – Muntadab
My agent Tony Hind does his own handicapping and he was keen to get me on this horse. He is a really good price but hopefully he has got me on the right one here.
5.35 Ascot – Queen Alexandra Stakes – Fun Mac
He was placed in the Chester Cup. He is a little bit wrong in the weights with a few of them here but he is a really good horse. He ran in last year’s Ascot Gold Cup so he stays really well. He is drawn 20 so I will just keep him out wide for a bit before tucking him in.