CROWLEY GUINEAS GOAL
CHAMPION jockey Jim Crowley is hoping to celebrate a Guineas double at Newmarket this weekend.
Crowley, Sheikh Hamdan Al-Maktoum’s retained rider, partners Eminent in Saturday’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and Talaayeb in following day’s 1,000 Guineas.
“I’m really looking forward to riding Eminent,” said Crowley. “It was an impressive performance when he won the Craven.
“He’s a big horse and, hopefully, he will come on for that run. He’s an athlete with an engine.”
Crowley believes Churchill is the one he has to beat.
“Obviously, Churchill’s form is good,” he said. “And, the first five in the betting are also very good horses.
“But the Craven rode like a very good race and this is backed up by a very fast time, and we beat a Group One horse in Rivet.”
Crowley also makes a convincing case for Talaayeb in the 1,000 Guineas. “I think she’s got a great chance,” he said. “She’s only run once and won very well. I really fancy her.
“We’ve taken her to Newmarket for a gallop and she worked very well.”
Coral offer 66-1 about Crowley landing the double.
Silvestre de Sousa, who rides 16-1 chance Dream Castle in the 2,000 Guineas, was on fire at Ascot yesterday. The Brazilian made it a 662-1 treble after riding the first three winners.
Sweet Selection, the highlight in the Longines Sagaro Stakes, booked her ticket for the Ascot Gold Cup.
Hughie Morrison, the trainer of the winner and third home, Nearly Caught, said: “It was a brave decision to keep her in training and on today’s performance we have to have a go at the Ascot Gold Cup.”
De Sousa opened his account with the Tom Dascombe-trained Frozen Angel, the impressive winner of the Sodexo Stakes.
“I think he’s Group class from the feel I got today,” said de Souza.
The former champion jockey had to be at his strongest when getting Prosper home in the Spinal Injuries Stakes by a short-head from Icespire
But de Sousa was then denied a four-timer when runner-up on Ennaadd to the Crowley-ridden Tabarrak, left, in the Rundle’s Paradise Stakes.