Jim Crowley: ‘Al Shibli looks to be my standout ride of the day.’
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Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his rides at Chester on Saturday
Our man Jim Crowley looks ahead to his seven rides at Chester and explains why Al Shibli may be his standout ride.
A busy day at the Roodee begins on Tadreeb, who’s had just the two runs so far, and ran a nice race – his first on turf – at Ayr last month to finish third.
The downside here is the draw, eight of eight at Chester is never a good thing, particularly on one of Mark Johnston’s as they do like to go forward.
However if we can overcome that he’s not without an each-way chance.
I’m drawn in stall eight again here, but King’s Knight is a consistent sort who’s been in good form this season, winning his first start and finishing second last time out at Goodwood, so if we can get luck in running from this draw, he’s another with a definite each-way shout.
The theme of the day continues as I find myself in stall eight once again!
Lazyitis had a solid 2-year-old campaign, ending with a victory at Beverley on her final start, and while this is her first start of the season, if she comes here fit and well there’s no reason why she can’t run another decent race for connections.
Finally a change of scene as I come out of stall five on Hasanabad for an old ally, Ian Williams.
A 6-year-old now, he’s been kept busy over hurdles and on the flat, but does need to improve for his last run to feature here, although trained by Ian that improvement is more than possible.
One of the main reasons I’m at Chester, Al Shibli is a juvenile we think plenty of.
He was sent off favourite for his debut at Newbury but he ran very green that day, and also didn’t enjoy the soft ground, so we’ll be hoping the ground here dries out as much as possible before race time.
We’re drawn well, in stall two, and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t go very close, he looks to be my standout ride of the day.
Khezaana is another for Shadwell, and if we weren’t drawn in stall ten, I’d say she was another with an excellent chance, off the back of a good win at Beverley last time.
By Muhaarar, his sons and daughters are staying longer trips than his excellent sprinting career might have suggested, so Khezaana should see out this ten furlong trip well. I think she’ll go well but the draw is the only negative.
My final ride is another for Ian [Williams] and Dr Koukash, an owner who loves Chester more than any other track, so I’m sure Heart Of Soul will be ready to do himself justice here.
I’ve not ridden him before but he’s a course winner, and if we can overcome yet another wide draw – nine of nine here – I’d say he has an each-way chance.
Jim
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