Jim Crowley: “She’s a smart filly, I’d be very hopeful”

Coral ambassador previews his rides from Day one of Glorious Goodwood

The whole Shadwell team had a brilliant Royal Ascot, with six winners for Sheikh Hamdan and I was lucky enough to be on all six.

But in some ways, this is a bigger week than the Royal meeting as horses that won or ran well there now have to prove themselves here.

I’m based locally, so Glorious Goodwood normally would be an extra special meeting, with plenty of friends and family at the track, but obviously that won’t be happening this year.

The racing promises to be top class here all week, with the likes of Stradivarius and Battaash both looking to win at the meeting for a fourth time, and of course Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes looks like the race of the season.

Goodwood 13:10 – Wasaayef

I begin the meeting on a nice filly, who I won on at Newmarket last summer, and that race has worked out well.

She’s making her first start of the year here, but the filly who beat her last time out last year is now rated 103, so I’d be hopeful mine can run a big race of an official mark of 93.

She’s beautifully bred. We’re drawn in stall 6 which is OK over this mile trip, we’re not stuck out on the wing, so I think she’s got a great chance.

Goodwood 13:45 – Restorer

Sheikh Hamdan runs Maydanny here, but I just couldn’t do his weight of 8-6. I was a little bit disappointed with him at Newmarket last time, but he could well bounce back and Mark Johnston’s horses always run well at this meeting.

I’m on Restorer, and he’s in great heart as he showed when we won at Newbury last month. He’s gone up 4 pounds for that victory but if he can cope with that, he’d have an each-way chance at decent odds here.

Goodwood 16:20 – Alkumait

The boss has three in this maiden, and I’ve sided with Alkumait, the one of the trio that’s had a run. I didn’t ride him at Newbury last month, but he ran a very nice race to finish fourth, and I’d be hopeful he comes on plenty for that run.

That experience is very much the reason I’ve made the choice, but obviously I’ll be watching how our newcomers run as well, with one eye on the future.

Goodwood 16:55 – Asiaaf

My final ride of the day has already won at Goodwood this season, always a plus on such a unique track.

She then finished second at Sandown. I was one place behind her that day as I couldn’t do her weight, and this step up in trip should suit her.

She’s a smart filly, improving with every run, and I’d be hopeful of a big run from her.

Jim.