Jim Crowley blog: York 2024 Day four blog

Top jockey Jim Crowley is back with another exclusive Coral blog, previewing his rides on Day four of York this year.

It was a tough decision to make to choose between Alyanaabi and Enfjaaar in this race. I’ve stuck with Alyanaabi as he has group form, and he has been working very well. He will get 7lb in weight from the older horses here and I hope he can take advantage of that.

I made the running on Alyanaabi at Newbury last time out. On this occasion, I will ride him differently from stall nine. It isn’t a great draw as I feel you are always better from a low stall at York around the turn. 

Enfjaar has done little wrong. He won the John Smith’s Cup at this course. He then got outpaced at Goodwood in the Coral Chesterfield Cup but ran on to finish second. 

If Alyanaabi runs to his Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes form, he should go very close to winning this.

His form has been very good since he stepped up in distance. He was just behind Align The Stars last time out and he ran in the Lonsdale Cup on Friday. I think he is a genuine stayer and off a light weight here, he has a great chance.

He ran a great race at Newbury last month. I was asked to ride him patiently and he just got a little detached from the field. He hasn’t been the easiest to ride but we have tried different tactics on him and realised he likes to be held up.

The Ebor is a great race to win. I was successful on board Muntahaa for John Gosden in 2018. My latest horse has the right profile. The harder they go in this contest, the better it will be for our chances. And as ever in the Ebor, you do need a bit of luck in running.

Shadwell run Elmonjed here but I just can’t make it down to 8st 7lb, so Tom Marquand is on board. I’ve not ridden my horse, Jehangeer, before. He was disappointing last time over 7f, but he is dropping back to 6f now, which is his right trip. I think he has an each-way chance in this race.

I rode this horse at Goodwood, and he didn’t quite run up to form. He is drawn 17 in this contest so we could be on our own on the standside. There is no doubt he has ability so hopefully he can bounce back from his Goodwood run.

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