Jim Crowley: “Nazeef has been an absolute revelation this season”

Coral ambassador previews his Thursday rides at Glorious Goodwood

Goodwood 13.45 – Al Salt 

Four nice rides for the boss to look forward to, beginning with Al Salt. He’s won his last two, last time at Wolverhampton he just ran a bit green, ducking across the track, but still won with a bit in hand, so I think going up four pounds for that is fair, there should hopefully be more to come.

We’re drawn well here also, so I think he’s got a really good chance.

Goodwood 14.15 – Qaader

He ran a lovely race to finish second in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, and we then took him to Newmarket for the July Stakes, where the rain softened ground went against him, although he still ran OK to finish fourth.

Back on better ground here should suit him. Mark Johnston’s runners always go well at this meeting, and he’s a horse I really like, so although this is a strong looking race, with Yazaman and Admiral Nelson feared most, I hope we can get him back on track here.

Goodwood 14.45 – Al Aasy

We’ve always thought a lot of this fellow, and at the start of the season we hoped he might be our Derby horse, but his first run of the year disappointed us, and forced us to regroup, which he did by winning his second start, before really impressing in the Bahrain Trophy last time.

We’ll now be aiming him at the St Leger, but he’s also got plenty of speed, so this drop back to a mile and a half won’t be an issue.

It’s a strong looking Gordon Stakes, with the Derby form well represented, but my horse has a turn of foot and stays well, so I’d be hopeful he can go very close here.

Goodwood 15.15 – Nazeef

Nazeef has been an absolute revelation, winning all three starts this season so far, including the Group 1 Falmouth last time, which was a fantastic result for Sheikh Hamdan, and fully justified his decision to keep her in training at 4.

This is her first time over 1m 2f, but I’d be confident she’ll get the trip, she finishes her races strongly over a mile, and at Ascot needed every yard of the trip to get home in front.

As you’d expect for a Group 1, it’s a tough race, with last year’s winner Deirdre back again, and a French Oaks winner who we have to give nine pounds too, but my filly is a big strong filly who has done nothing but improve.

If she doesn’t stay we can always drop her back to a mile, but I think she will, and in that case that would open up plenty more options for her.

Jim