Jim Crowley: “Afaak should finish in the first four in the Cambridgeshire”

Coral ambassador previews his Saturday rides at Newmarket

It’s been going really well for me over the last couple of weeks. I’m on quite a roll although I think I’ve left my title challenge a bit late!

In all seriousness though it’s great to be riding winners every day so let’s hope we can keep this run of form up, and if I can finish in the top three I’ll be happy.

Saturday Rides

Newmarket two-year-old Group races

I’m not riding in The Royal Lodge, but I quite like Highland Chief. He ran a really nice race at Ascot when third to Pinatubo. He should improve for that. Kameko will be hard to beat though.

The one I’m really looking forward to watching though is the Middle Park Stakes. It’s a serious race. Probably the strongest renewal of the race for a long time.

Earthlight has been very impressive this season and deserves to be favourite.

Obviously, Mum’s Tipple won incredibly well at York, but it was almost a freak-like performance so need to see if he can do it again. Siskin is a good horse too. Can’t wait to see it unfold.

15.40 Newmarket – Afaak

Afaak has a good each-way chance in this Cambridgeshire. He likes these big fields and has won a Royal Hunt Cup.

I wouldn’t say he didn’t stay the 10f at York last time, but he ran quite prominently over the trip for the first time and ran okay.

He then went to Goodwood and had a wide draw, so I’d put a line through that. This is his kind of race and the trip should be absolutely perfect.

He probably doesn’t have a lot up his sleeve in terms of his handicap mark but what you see is what you get. I think he should finish in the first four.

16.15 Newmarket – Baaqy

She’s had the one run here at Newmarket. I didn’t ride her that day, but she led and just didn’t finish out her race.

I think she’ll come on for the run, and she’s a nice type of filly with plenty of speed in her pedigree. We’ll have to wait and see how she goes upped in trip to seven furlongs on her second start.

16.50 Newmarket – Huboor

I like this horse. She was third at Chester looking like a seven-furlong horse and I won on her the time before at Chepstow when she was quite impressive.

I’m hoping this step up in trip will suit her. I think she’d have a squeak, definitely.

17.25 Newmarket – Breathless Times

He probably needs to show a bit more than he’s been showing recently. He’s lost his way a bit lately but did win at Lingfield last year over seven furlongs. His best form has been on the all-weather so needs to show improved form on turf to figure here.

However, Stuart Williams is more than capable of producing a big priced winner as he showed at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago when I rode a nice winner for him.

Jim