Jim Crowley Royal Ascot Day Three blog: 'Let’s hope there are a few more winners before the week is out'

Esteemed jockey Jim Crowley is back with another exclusive Coral blog, this time previewing his rides on Day Three of Royal Ascot 2024.

It is fantastic to have a spare ride for the great Aidan O’Brien. This horse has had three runs, and this is his first appearance in a handicap. He is by Galileo, and he looks like he will improve for going up in trip.

All three of his runs so far have come on heavy ground. He is going to be encountering fast ground for the first time, so it is hard to know how he will take to that. There is a chance he could be very well handicapped, and if that is the case, we will be in with a good chance.

He has hardly any weight on his back, so I won’t be having much for breakfast ahead of this ride!

This horse is one of the highest-rated runners in this field and his form has not been bad this season. He finished second at Newmarket in a Listed race behind Jayarebe, who has won since. Last time out over 1m2f, he didn’t quite get home.

This trip should suit him, as it’s a stiff mile at Ascot. He can outrun his odds and I would not rule him out finishing in the placings.

He is a half-brother to Mostahdaf, and he is a horse we thought a lot of last year. He ran in some big races across the campaign. After dropping down in class, he is now finding his level. I think he is more than capable of winning a race like this.

We are putting blinkers on him for the first and he should love the fast ground. I rate him as having a solid each-way chance in this large field.

Kyprios is the class horse in the race. He is the best stayer around by far, and I can’t see past him. I suppose if you were looking to take him on, Vauban is the most interesting challenger in the field. He remains open to improvement on the Flat and I think he will be the biggest danger to the favourite.

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