Jim Crowley: “Minzaal deserves to be favourite for the Sprint Cup Stakes”
Coral ambassador Jim Crowley discusses his four rides at Haydock on Saturday
He is a decent horse who won the Royal Hunt Cup.
This is a competitive race but he should run well from stall one.
Very close! But a clear win. 🥇
Dark Shift wins the Royal Hunt Cup!#ITVRacing | @ascot | #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/pKwH5EkaBA
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 15, 2022
This horse has been very consistent this season. He didn’t do a lot wrong at Ascot last time out.
Charlie (Hills) is looking forward to him running and I am hopeful of a big run.
I’ve not ridden this horse before.
He had a first-time tongue-tie on at Beverley on his last start where he came home third. The handicapper has eased him 2lb in the ratings since then.
He looks on breeding like he will improve for going up in distance.
Unfortunately, we have been given a very wide draw in stall 16. I know it’s 1m6f but it still isn’t ideal.
That said, if he improves for the step up in trip we will have an each-way chance.
He is a lovely old horse who was third in the Lonsdale Cup last time out.
Due to what he has achieved, he has a lot of weight now. He will need to carry 9st 11lb, which leaves him a little exposed against the younger horses further down the ratings.
I thought Soulcombe was impressive last time and he could still be ahead of the handicapper.
My horse is tough and genuine but I do worry he is up against it here.
I thought Minzaal was unlucky at Deauville on his latest run.
I just got stuck behind Garrus. Every time I went left, he did the same and when I went right, he moved out too.
🚀 Minzaal bounces back to form in some style, capturing the £60,000 G3 @bet365 Hackwood Stakes for @ojburrows74, @JimCrowley1978, @ShadwellStud & @hissa_hamdan
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavpOzF pic.twitter.com/TRTvDZBfPP
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 16, 2022
It was also a slowly run race which didn’t help. Take nothing away from the winner as she has backed that up in the Nunthorpe since.
My horse deserves to be the favourite in this race as he has been knocking on the door at the highest level.
The only time he has disappointed this season was at Royal Ascot where he has cheekpieces on.
He is a big player here and it would be lovely to make him a Group One winner.
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