Jim Crowley: “The Arc is the biggest Flat race in the world, and it is great to have a ride in it”
Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his two rides at Longchamp this weekend, including Mostahdaf in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.
Saturday
He has been very impressive this season, especially on his last run at Haydock. The ground was on the easy side on his latest appearance, and he enjoyed it. He is going to get that again at Longchamp, and he has a nice draw in stall five.
This distance of 1m2f looks to be his ideal distance. I have ridden him in his work and the horse is in good form. He goes into this race with a favourite’s chance of coming out on top. Owen Burrow’s horses have been running well all year and it would be great to ride another big race winner for him.
Sunday
The plan has always been for this horse to run in this race, but we are aware he is a big outsider. He doesn’t mind any ease in the ground, and I think he is becoming a strong stayer. We have absolutely no concerns about the trip or the conditions.
We have been drawn in stall 16, which is not ideal, but if the ground does become testing, it is not the end of the world. The ground on the inside of the course can get tough to race on. We saw last year, Torquator Tasso had a wide trip all the way around and it did him no harm at all.
It is an open renewal of the race. Luxembourg deserves to be the favourite. I was so impressed with him last time in the Irish Champion Stakes. He should improve again on this step up to 1m4f.
Alpinista has solid form this year and has great credentials. I think the Japanese horse, Titleholder, is in with a great chance. Then you have Frankie Dettori on board last year’s winner Torquator Tasso. If things go well, I could see my horse finishing in the top six.
My only ride in the Arc so far came in 2017 when I finished third on board Ulysses in the year Enable was successful. It is a great race to ride in. As a jockey, this is the pinnacle for me. I’d rather ride in this race than the Derby. It is the biggest Flat race in the world, and it is the race everybody wants to win.
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