Jim Crowley: “I wouldn’t swap Enbihaar for anything”

Coral ambassador previews his Saturday rides on Arc weekend

It’s been a good week, I had a double on Thursday at Chelmsford and the winners are flowing which is great.

I got my century up this week too which was pleasing. My major aim is to ride 2,000 winners which I should be able to achieve next year all being well.

This weekend is one of those occasions where I wish I could be in several places at once, with Lavender’s Blue running in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, and two nice horses for the boss running at Ascot in the Group Threes, and all three have decent chances.

15.25 Newmarket – Lavender’s Blue

Lavender’s Blue will go really well. She probably won’t want the ground too soft as she’s a top of the ground filly.

I would love to see her win for Amanda. I think she’s capable of winning. She’s going in there relatively lightly raced, it was a big performance last time, and I hope and think she’ll go well.

14.35 Ascot – Faylaq

Faylaq has been impressive this year. He likes to get his toe in so he won’t mind the cut in the ground. I think he’ll nearly win.

15.40 Ascot – Tabdeed

Tabdeed will also like the soft ground. Twelve months ago he won the last race on the Friday of this Ascot meeting and he’s coming into this in great form and I think he should win too.

My Saturday rides

I’m flying over to Paris on Friday night, so will have a relaxing morning in Paris before heading to the track.

15.25 Longchamp – Enbihaar

She just keeps getting better and better with every run. We are a little unsure about the ground. She has never run on soft ground and she’s a good moving filly. That’s the one question mark about her chance.

It’s a small enough field, and the pace should be good. She’s a straightforward mare to ride, and if there isn’t enough pace she can go on and make it. We know she stays well.

There are some decent fillies lining up against her, like Musis Amica who was second to Star Catcher last time out.

There’s also an Oaks winner that we’re giving plenty of weight to in Anapurna.

However, I wouldn’t swap her for anything in the field. She worked beautifully last week and is in tip-top form. I’m very hopeful she’ll win.

16.00 Longchamp – Dashing Willoughby

This horse has been a star for his owners already. It looked like the ground was a little bit quick for him at Doncaster last time in the St Leger, and he clearly loves a bit of cut in the ground.

It was soft when he won the Queens Vase and he stays really well, and this doesn’t look a strong contest, so I think he’ll run a big race. He’s got a great chance and I’m really looking forward to riding him.

16.35 Longchamp – Cleonte

Dee Ex Bee will be a tough nut to crack in this race clearly, but my horse Cleonte stays really well as he proved at Royal Ascot when he won the Queen Alexandra.

He’s been in really good form, ran a nice second in the Doncaster Cup and he could go well at a price.

Jim