Jim Crowley “She ticks all the boxes and I think she’ll win”

Goodwood Review – Battaash, Enbihaar and Khaadem

Battaash was brilliant. He ran a faster time this year than last year, and whilst he wasn’t as visually impressive this year, it was because we went quicker over the first couple of furlongs which meant that last furlong wasn’t his best. I didn’t have to use the stick on him and I was trying to save a little bit in the tank for York. He was very well behaved too which was good.

I was really pleased with Enbihaar winning the Lillie Langtry, she was impressive. To give away all the weight for age, as well as carrying the penalty, it was a big performance. I thought it was one of the best performances of the week.

John Godden will obviously decide the plan for her, but I imagine the Irish St Leger might be a consideration although it may come too quick. Then there is a race at Longchamp on Arc Saturday over 1m 5f for fillies, and she could also come back in trip and run in the Fillies & Mares race on Champions Day at Ascot. She’s obviously going to have to step up to Group 1 company soon. She’s won two Group 2s. She stays really well and it’s really sporting of the boss to keep her in training as often the three year old fillies are retired to breeding at the end of the season.

Khaadem was good in the Stewards Cup. He lived up to the old saying of being a Group horse in a handicap. He was unlucky in the Hack wood Stakes at Newbury. I got stuck behind The Tin Man that day who was favourite and he never got take into the race at all that day. Last Saturday he had the perfect draw and everything went like clockwork in the race and he won like a very good horse. He’s another one who is going to have to step up to Group 1 company now and the Haydock Sprint is likely to be his next race.

I’ve always wanted to win the Stewards Cup given it’s my local track as well, so I was thrilled. I like to win Group 1 winners, but I get as much pleasure winning these big heritage handicaps.

SATURDAY RIDES

1.55 Chelmsford – Daheer

He’s a nice Speightstown colt and he’s having his first run. There are a couple in there with more experience. He’s been going nicely at home but it is his first day at school. If he can win then great but it’s not easy going to Chelmsford against experienced horses. It’s a fast, front-running type of track so if you don’t jump that well from the gate, the more experience horses can take advantage of that. Hopefully he will run a nice race.

2.45 Chelmsford – Muthmir

He’s getting a bit long in the tooth now but he is still showing ability. He’s a tricky horse as he’s needs to be held up and always seems to run his best when he finds trouble which is not ideal when you’ve backed him. He’s drawn out in ten and he is trying six furlongs, so he will need everything to fall right for him. He’s not an easy horse to win with but he does have an each way chance.

3.20 Chelmsford – Global Falcom

He’s stepping up in trip in his bid for a hat-trick. He looks progressive and though it’s a tight little race he will have a good chance if he stays the 1m 6f. He looks like he will so I think he’ll go very well.

3.55 Chelmsford – Jadeerah

I think she’ll nearly win. She ran at Ascot last time in a Listed race over a mile and she ran a little bit too keen and she didn’t get home. She’s dropping back in trip to 7f and she’s back in a handicap and at Chelmsford where she won. She ticks all the boxes and I think she’ll win.

4.30 Chelmsford – Karnavaal

It was a tricky choice between Habub and Karnavaal. I like Habub a lot. He’s been impressive and he’s won at Chelmsford but he’s a four year old carrying plenty of weight, stepping up in trip to seven furlongs. He could win but his form doesn’t look that strong. So I’ve gone for Karnavaal. He has bits and pieces of good form. He’s a three year old, getting plenty of weight off the opposition and he has been working nicely at home. He’s also a course and distance winner so hopefully I’ve picked right. It would be no shock if Habub won but the formbook has steered me towards Karnavaal.

7.15 Lingfield – Foad

I’m stopping off at Lingfield on the way home to ride Foad. He is what he is really. He has first time headgear on, and has had his three runs, so it’s his first time in a Nursery Handicap. I’d be hopeful without being really positive.

SUNDAY RIDES

3.15 Leicester – Maktabba

She ran a nice race on debut at Newbury when I rode her. She won nicely last time beating an odds-on favourite of Sir Michael Stoute’s. That was a nice surprise as we didn’t think we’d beat the favourite that day. Hopefully she’ll come on for that and she should have a good chance.

3.45 Leicester – Dominus

I haven’t ridden this horse before but I’ve ridden a few for the owners including winning the Wokingham on Bacchus. He won at Haydock on good to soft ground on his penultimate start and he likes a bit of juice in the ground, so if Leicester get more of the forecast rain then he could have a good chance.

Jim