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Jim Crowley: “Everything set for a big race for Aldaary”

| 01.10.2021
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Coral ambassador previews his five rides at Ascot races on Saturday and also looks ahead to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Sun Chariot Stakes this weekend

Ascot 1.30 – Statement

Statement won a Newbury maiden on heavy ground and has been running relatively well ever since without winning again, including finishing down the field in the 1000 Guineas. She will definitely handle any cut in the ground well and has a good chance although Highfield Princess is the one to beat here I think. Hopefully my mount will run well at a reasonable price.

Ascot 2.05 – Minzaal

Minzaal is a hugely talented horse, winning the Gimcrack at York and then going on to finish third in the Middle Park at Newmarket but he hasn’t run since then which is over a year ago now. He has been training very nicely at home though so hopefully that break will not cause any problems.

My concern would be that he is trying five furlongs back on his first start in a while against some seasoned horses at that trip. Hopefully that doesn’t catch him out and the fact that Ascot is a stiff five should help. He’s working really well at home and he’s definitely retained his ability. I’m really looking forward to riding him and he could run a big race.

Ascot 2.40 – Hukum

I was disappointed with Hukum being beaten at such a short price last time out but he isn’t as good on the all-weather as he is on the turf and that is quite common with a lot of horses. It’s going to be nice to be back at Ascot here with him where he has won before, at the Royal meeting last year, and with a good draw he should go very close.

Ascot 3.15 – Tabdeed

Tabdeed won the Hackwood last year at Newbury races and has been running very credibly all this season without winning, finishing second on both his last starts. He acts on soft ground but takes on Glen Shiel who also likes cut in the ground, however he definitely has an each-way chance.

Ascot 3.50 – Aldaary

Aldaary won over course and distance at the beginning of this season although the handicapper wasn’t too kind to him after that win. Since then he has run well all year without winning and the couple of pounds he has been dropped since his last run should help here.

He has an obvious chance in the race with a low draw and everything seems set for a big race. Hopefully he can get his head back in front.

Longchamp 3.05 (Sunday)

It is so hard to pick a winner in the Arc on Sunday and it should be a fantastic race. The first four in the betting all have a great chance.

I do think William Buick has picked the right one in Adayar as St Leger horses do not have a brilliant record in the race and that would put me off Hurricane Lane, although that is not to say it won’t win!

Tarnawa has got a lovely draw and should get a nice route into the race from Hurricane Lane, whilst if Snowfall hadn’t been beaten last time out I am sure she would be the favourite for this. She is the three-year-old filly with all the allowances who loves soft ground, so you cannot rule her out either. It should be a cracking race.

Newmarket 2.55 (Saturday)

Lavender’s Blue runs in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket on Saturday too, a horse I know very well, having ridden her three times this season and twice at Newmarket. She is taking on Snow Lantern and Mother Earth here who are two hugely talented horses but she has some very good form of her own, with Benbatl franking that form since too. Any ease in the ground would be a negative for her, however.

Jim

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Author

Andrew McDermott

Andrew is a sports betting content journalist at PA Media. He is a lifelong Huddersfield Town fan but when he isn't reminiscing about their Premier League days he is also a junior cricket coach and enjoys cycling.