Jim Crowley: “Open Wide can be competitive if things fall right”

1.50 York – Open Wide

He’s a hold up horse and things have to go right for him. I think York will suit him as a track. I thought he was a little unlucky last time at Goodwood. I didn’t ride him that day but I watched him. That said he can look a bit unlucky at times as he’s that kind of horse. With these kinds of sprints you could run them five times and get a different result each time. If things fall right for him then he can be competitive.

2.25 York – Sun Maiden

She’s having her first run this year. Ryan Moore had the choice of the two Sir Michael Stoute runners and he picked Rawdaa. However I think mine is a nice filly. She has an entry for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. She only won her first start of the year but she then ran in some nice races, and was third at Royal Ascot in the Ribblesdale, so she has got good form. It was a tough decision for Ryan to pick between the two, and I’m hoping he’s got it wrong.

3.00 York – Almania

I think this is as good a Dante as you’ll ever see. It’s a really good race. Too Darn Hot has the best form but whatever wins this race is going to be nearly favourite for the Derby if not the clear favourite. I loved Surfman when I won on him at Newcastle last time, and I’ve always been a big fan of the horse. He’s a serious horse but this will be a big step up on what he’s run in so far and obviously he has to take on Too Darn Hot, Line Of Duty and Japan.

I’ve picked up a nice ride on Almania for Sir Michael. I believe he’s been working really well. Sir Michael thinks a lot of this horse and wouldn’t be running him in a hot Dante like this if he didn’t think he was up to it. He’s very lightly raced, having just had the two runs, and he’s improved a lot over the winter so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

6.55 Newmarket – Hameem

I’m then flying down to Newmarket for three rides. Hameem is a nice filly of John Gosden’s owned by Sheikh Hamdan’s daughter. She progressed nicely last year winning at Brighton and Newmarket. She’s done very well over the winter and will hopefully keep improving. I’m looking forward to riding her.

7.30 Newmarket – Albadr

I don’t know too much about him. I’ve ridden him in work and he’s by The Factor, who’s a son of War Front. He’s a horse that may well need his first run and improve for it.

8.05 Newmarket – Amjaady

He’s off a mark of 76 which could be alright. He ran three races last year and has progressed over the winter. We are hopeful of a good run. He’s been working nicely and he is probably my best chance of a winner on the day.

Jim