Jim Crowley blog: 'We need rain for a couple of these'

Jim Crowley is back for Coral with another exclusive blog, this time previewing his rides on Saturday at Haydock

It’s hard to believe after what seems endless rain, but the going at Haydock was good to firm on Friday afternoon, and ahead of their Friday evening card there were plenty of non-runners because of that. A couple of my Saturday rides need some ease in the ground, so could be withdrawn if the rain doesn’t arrive, including this fellow.

He did finish second here on a quicker surface last year, but his best performances have been on soft, including a Goodwood win two runs ago, so we do want to see some rain. I can put a line through his Redcar run last time, he was drawn wide and never got going. He’ll have blinkers on here just to sharpen him up, and if the rain comes he’d have a great chance, if not we could wait for another day.

Maghlaak odds: 7/2

I’ve ridden Ching Shih a couple of times previously, and she’s another I think needs some rain. She’s got plenty of ability, she stays well, and I rode her dam, so I know the family well. At her best she’d be a big price here, but the ground as it is is a concern.

Ching Shih odds: 20/1

Ezra Cee won at Windsor last month, his first start for trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy since switching yards, and also since being gelded. He’s got the cheek pieces on here which should help him concentrate and help him see out the extra furlong he faces here. I’d hope there’s more to come from him, and if so, we’d have a decent chance.

Ezra Cee odds

I’ve not ridden Abduction before, but he’s a seasoned sprint handicapper trained by a shrewd operator in Jim Goldie. He didn’t show much on his first two starts this season, but ran much better to finish third here last month. A bigger field here should mean a quicker pace to aim at, which will suit him, and he’s versatile groundwise so has an each-way chance.

Abduction odds

Another I’m riding for the first time, her best form was her second in a Newmarket nursery last year. She ran at York first time up this year, that looked a hot contest and she should take a step forward from the race, so I’d be hopeful she can run well. 

Expensive Queen odds

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication