Jim Crowley Saturday rides blog: 'I really do enjoy the challenge'

Jim Crowley is back with yet another exclusive Coral blog, this time previewing his rides on Saturday (May 17) at Newbury.

At the ripe old age of 8, this fellow seems to be as good as ever, and I thought his win at Sandown last time was really strong. Everyone knows now how he has to be ridden, I have to ride him cold for most of the race, and then deliver him late, so he’s not an easy ride, but I really do enjoy the challenge.

We’re in stall one here, so again, I’ll smuggle him into the race, and while we do need some luck with gaps coming at the right time, that’s how he needs to be ridden. He’s won this race before, and goes on all ground types, so in the form he’s in, I’m looking forward to this a lot.

I’ve not ridden this filly before, but she’s won two of her four career starts so far, and I know Richard [Hughes] holds her in very high regard. She gets the fillies’ allowance here, and while it is a step up in class for her, I’m hopeful she can improve and won’t be out of place here.

I rode this filly a couple of times last year, and felt she wanted a trip, which she has had this year, and she won nicely at Wetherby last time. She has a mark of 80, which in theory leaves her with a bit to find in this listed class, but on the feel she gave me as a 2-y-o, I would not be surprised to see her outrun her odds.

Elmonjed won twice last summer, on quick ground, so won’t mind if it dries out anymore here. He can be quite a lazy horse, so the blinkers do sharpen him up, and while he could have gone to York this week, this race should suit him even better.

It’s a typical sprint handicap, where you could run the race five times and get five different winners, but my fellow warmed up for it with a good fourth at Newmarket last month, and we hope this could be a stepping stone to the Wokingham at next month’s Royal meeting.

Nakeeb ran a nice race first time up this season, finishing second to a smart Godolphin horse at Newmarket, and he then went to Doncaster and landed his maiden at odds-on. I really like this horse, and hope he could make up into a Britannia horse at Royal Ascot. He should stay this mile trip well, and I hope he should take a bit of beating here.

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