Jim Crowley “I’ll be disappointed if Mankib doesn’t win”

Look back on Epsom

Maqsad ran a good race in the Oaks but she just didn’t stay the trip, which was something we were concerned about beforehand. She travelled into the race absolutely cantering and just didn’t get home. I think the plan is to go for the Coronation Stakes with her. She’s definitely up to that level and we just need to come back in trip for her.

You can’t really say it wasn’t a strong Derby until the end of the year when you’ve seen how they’ve all gone on. The winner ran a good race but there were only a couple of heads between the next three home. It just went to show once again how brilliant Aidan O’Brien is. My gut feeling would be that the French Derby form may be a bit better than the Epsom form but only time will tell.

SATURDAY RIDES

1.45 Haydock – Alhaazm

He’s a really nice horse. He’s a full brother to Awtad, an Irish 2000 Guineas winner. He’s a smashing horse and he bumped into a very well handicapped horse at Newbury last time. I think he’d nearly win but for my concern about the ground up at Haydock.  Being by Cape Cross I think he may want a decent surface, and they’ve had a lot of rain up at Haydock. He’s a good horse but he won’t want it too testing.

2.25 Haydock – Magnolia Springs

She has a little bit to do on the ratings but she absolutely loves soft ground. She cannot have it soft enough. If it turned up soft to heavy she will outrun her odds. It would be no surprise if she finishes in the first three.

3.00 Haydock – One Last Night

She had decent enough form in France. She’s now come over to Robert Cowell, but it’s early days and she hasn’t shown that much in her first two starts for the yard. So this is really a fact finding mission.

3.35 Haydock – Mankib

He’s the main reason I’ve gone to Haydock. He’s a course and distance winner and he ran very well last time out. That was his first run of the season. He loves soft ground, the trip is perfect for him, and I think he has a very, good chance. I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t win. He is taking on Safe Voyage again who beat him last time but we were giving the winner weight that day. I’d be disappointed off level weights if we don’t finish ahead of him.

4.10 Haydock – Aeolus

This is a course and distance winner who loves soft ground. Ruth Carr does very well with these type of horses. Hopefully he can go very close.

4.45 Haydock – The Night Watch

I don’t think this horse will mind soft ground. He’s a little bit keen, so William is dropping him back to 6 furlongs. The trip on this ground should be right up his street. He will have a good chance.

Jim