Jim Crowley: ‘I will be disappointed if Al Aasy is beaten.’
Published:
Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his rides at Newbury on Saturday
Our man Jim Crowley looks ahead to his three rides at Newbury, including on Al Aasy who runs in the Aston Park Stakes.
My first ride of the day is on the unraced youngster, Al Shibli.
He’s a Shadwell homebred with a lovely pedigree, as a half-brother to Tajaanus and Motafaawit, so I know the family well.
The softish ground shouldn’t hold any concerns for a son of Shamardal, he’s been going well at home, and the Hannons have won this race with the likes of Mehmas before, so they like to run a good one here.
I hope he’ll go very well.
I love this horse, I really do!
He won really well at the track last month, and the original plan was to go straight to the Coronation Cup next month, but he’s such a big strong horse, and can be a bit of a lad at home, so William [Haggas] wanted to get another run into him. He carries a three pound penalty here, but I honestly don’t think that will stop him, he’s a beast of a horse.
On ratings we have a St Leger winner, Logician, to beat, but he’s clearly not been straightforward to handle, and making his first start of the season here, he doesn’t worry me too much.
Of the rest, a couple look as if they want further, Ranch Hand and Rainbow Dreamer, so Thunderous could be the main danger, but I will be disappointed if my fellow is beaten. He’s a proper horse, and the Group One Coronation Cup is his target, which says how highly we rate him.
His victory last time was effortless, I think he’s a monster of a horse, and I also don’t think he’s ground dependent, in fact last time I actually thought a little bit of juice in the ground would suit him, so as long as there are no downpours, it will be lovely ground for him.
Eshaada has had just the one run, at Nottingham at the end of last season, she won that day despite being absolutely clueless, so I’d expect her to improve considerably for that racecourse experience. That was over an extended mile on soft ground, so this step up in trip will suit her as well.
Some of these have the Oaks entry, including the favourite Sea Empress, while my filly has the Ribblesdale entry rather than Epsom, so hopefully she can progress and maybe make into a Royal Ascot contender, we’ll certainly find out more here.
Jim
Check out the latest horse racing news.
