Jim Crowley: Hopefully I’ve picked the right one
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Jockey and Coral ambassador Jim Crowley discusses the chances of his four rides at Ascot on Saturday.
I had the choice of two in this race, but in reality it was a fairly easy decision to go with Al Aasy. I thought he ran a cracking race at Leopardstown last time, it was favouring horses up with the pace that day, which the winner Adelaide River was, and we were also giving 11 pounds to that horse, who’s been runner-up in a couple of Group Ones, so that form looks rock solid.
Al Aasy has winning form at Ascot, the good ground is perfect for him, and we also get two pounds from Israr, which could be crucial. I wasn’t on him but don’t think Israr handled the all-weather surface at Kempton last time, so being back on turf should suit him, but hopefully I’m on the right one.
I’ve ridden Garrus a few times in the past, and he comes here off a good second at Deauville, followed by an eighth place in the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup, so he should appreciate the drop in grade here. He was a Group Three winner over Commanche Falls back in April, so a return to that form level would give him a decent chance here.
I’ve not ridden Pearle D’Or before but he’s a course and distance winner, and also won at Newbury last time, so comes here in good form. We’re drawn in the middle in stall nine, so I’ll have options in terms of pace around me, and getting weight from most of his rivals, it’s not hard to see him having each-way claims at least for a shrewd trainer in David O’Meara.
I rode this filly in the Coral Distaff back in July, and she actually ran better than her finishing position suggests, as we didn’t get much luck in running, which can happen at Sandown, and she kept on well up the hill. Since then she’s finished third in a Listed contest in France, that was over a mile and she’s back to seven furlongs here, which shouldn’t hinder her at all. In an open looking race, hopefully she can pick up some more black type here.
Jim
