Jim Crowley: “Maybe no track record but I’ll settle for the win”
Coral ambassador previews his rides on Day Three of the Ebor Festival
York 13:45 – Alfaatik
A big day for me with six rides for the boss, including the brilliant Battaash, and I begin on Alfaatik. We always thought plenty of him, running him in two good races last season, but he was disappointing in both so the decision was made to geld him.
Hopefully that will help him now and he can show his true form. Off a mark of 94 here he could certainly be competitive if gelding him has made a difference.
York 14:15 – Enbihaar
I’m really looking forward to riding Enbihaar in this Lonsdale Cup as I’ve always thought that stepping her up in trip again would play to her strengths. She’s always doing her best work at the end of her races and she proved at Goodwood when winning the Lillie Langtry again that she’s held her form this year once more.
She’s run well at York in the past and we get a 3 pounds fillies allowance here so I think she’s got a favourites chance of adding to her excellent record and continue to justify Sheikh Hamdan’s decision to keep her in training.
The only thing I wouldn’t want to see is any more rain. Her best form is on top of the ground but good ground would be fine for her.
York 14:45 – Minzaal
Minzaal is another one I’m looking forward. He didn’t get the clearest run first time up at Ascot when he finished fourth, one place behind Mayaas who I ride on Thursday and who can hopefully give a boost to the form.
But we then went to Salisbury and he bolted up in a race that has already worked out well, giving us the encouragement to step up right up in class. He’s an exciting prospect and I think he’ll run a big race.
York 15:15 – Battaash
My star ride of the week, Battaash has been better than ever winning at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer. There’s no doubt the lack of crowds at the track have helped this fellow, although his temperament has been much better anyway this year and he’s much calmer in the preliminaries.
We’re drawn between Ornate and Art Power. Ornate gave us a lead at Goodwood for a furlong or two and hopefully will do so again, while I have a lot of respect for Tim Easterby’s charge. He’s looked good winning his three starts this season and we give him a couple of pounds.
As with Enbihaar, I wouldn’t want any more rain now but a drying night should be fine, although I wouldn’t be expecting any track records. I’ll settle for another win!
York 15:45 – Tawleed
Tawleed was second to my mount Alkumait at Glorious Goodwood. He had to come through horses that day so will have learnt plenty. This is always a strong maiden – we won it twelve months ago with the subsequent Jersey Stakes winner, Molatham, and I’d be hopeful he can improve from Goodwood and run a big race here.
York 16:15 – Asiaaf
My last ride of the day is Asiaaf in the fillies’ handicap. I won on her at Goodwood earlier in the season and she’s run two good races in defeat since, which meant she is creeping up in the handicap. She’ll need to improve again to win here but I see no reason why she won’t.
