WINDSOR EIGHT, CROWLEY GREAT

Jim Crowley seemed to cement his place on the flat jockey’s wall of fame.

With barely a week to go until the flat season finale at Ascot, and with that the champion jockeys crown up for grabs, former national hunt jockey Jim Crowley seemed to cement his place on the flat jockey’s wall of fame.

Coming to the Royal Berkshire course the Ascot man with 141 winners, sixteen above the outgoing champ Silvestre De Sousa, Crowley steered home a double for the afternoon making it a near certainty if there is one for him to take the crown. 

With 300 hundred nation hunt winners, and the only ‘to be’ flat champion to have ridden in the Grand National, Crowley bought home Broadhaven Honey for Ed McMahon in the 2 year olds five-furlong nursery.

Crowley bought home Broadhaven Honey for Ed McMahon in the 2 year olds five-furlong nursery.

 ‘I’m just going to keep pressing on riding as many winners as I can, i have twelve rides today, and as Saturday comes and Ascot, then the enormity of what I have done will sink in.’ 

And not stopping is what this champion elect will do, four meetings over the next 48 hours, a trip to Redcar at the end of the week and then Ascot is what faces the jockey for the week. 

The Harbour Watch filly doing the job, at 7/1 running on gamely to beat Richard Hannon’s Fabric by ½ a length.

And to top it all the next race on William Haggas’s Ejeemi Crowley made all to take a steady win by 2 lengths from the favourite First Voyage.

Jumping out the stalls smartly the jockey soon had the three-year-old by Sahmaardal well in his stride for his one-mile voyage in the first division of the three year olds and upwards maiden stakes. 

Running up gamely on the stand size rail the jockey mentioning he was a nice horse that moved well and enjoyed the ground at Windsor.

And to top it all the next race on William Haggas’s Ejeemi Crowley made all to take a steady win by 2 lengths from the favourite First Voyage.

With rides up to the last at Windsor, a helicopter ride to Chelmsford and a 8.25PM clock off time, Jim Crowley would not be one to be said to be sitting on his laurels, the former Amateur turned jump jockey, now champion flat jockey certainly is working as hard as his two winners at Windsor’s penultimate flat meeting of the season.

Broadhaven Honey

Ejeemi

The second division of the mile maiden went to top weight Archery Peak, trained by Luca Cumani, the four-year-old by Arch out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare shot to evens money favourite and only ever having three runs in his career, this lightly raced horse on paper looked the banker of the day.

Ridden by Adam Kirby who mentioned, ‘he is a nice type, but only a moderate sort of race really.’ 

Archery Peak,

Asked why the horse has been very light on the racecourse visits over his four years the jockey said. ‘I just ride them really, so best to ask the trainer on that one.’

 Says to me and with the evidence of the betting, the Newmarket trainer has seen something in this four-year-old that most cannot. One to watch me thinks.

 Says to me and with the evidence of the betting, the Newmarket trainer has seen something in this four-year-old that most cannot. One to watch me thinks.

Going back to the first race of the afternoon, the six furlongs two-year-old maiden stakes. Open wide trained by Amanda Perret, who indecently is the sister in law of Jim Crowley and who gave the champion his first rides under flat rules. Ran on well inside the final furlong to take the race by a length from Wedgwood Wonder, Founding Father the 5/2 favourite in third.

‘He is a very nice horse in the making, and has stuck his head out for me well there,’ mentioned the jockey Paul Maulrennan who last weekend at Chantilly was unlucky on the Nunthorpe winner, Meccas Angle in the Prix de l’abbaye, a possible entry in the champions sprint at Ascot this weekend.

The well bred two-year-old by Invincible Spirit out of an Indian Ridge mare in only his third run seems a nice type, and one that would look to improve as it rises into a three-year-old.

One for the notebooks again I feel for the new season.

Open wide

The three-year-old and upwards fillies and mares race was taken by 5/1 shot Invermere. 

Trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Windsor debutante, 5 lbs claimer Adam McNamara, the Kyllachy filly was driven out in the final furlong to beat the favourite, Henry Candy’s Nicarra.

‘I was probably in front a little too soon,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘But she is a versatile type that has won her race well.’

Nicarra, Carp Diem Lady, Invermere

Asked what he thought of Windsor the young jockey said.’ Yeah I’ve enjoyed it, never been here before and it is always good when on a winner.’

With thirteen runs on a racecourse and three wins under her belt it would be safe to say you would have to watch how the handicapper reacts to the win, a favourable weight could see this filly race and win sooner rather than later.

Asked what he thought of Windsor the young jockey said.’ Yeah I’ve enjoyed it, never been here before and it is always good when on a winner.’

Charles Hill took the three year olds and upwards six-furlong handicap with Menai. 

The Dark Angle gelding at 6/1 went past the post four lengths in front of Jonathan Portman’s Equistar.

 Steve Drowne on board the horse who has disappointed the last few runs mentioned, ‘a flat track has suited him better today, he has always shown a bit at home really and I thought he would be a possible Britannia horse, but its probably he’s a back end horse over six furlongs that will pick up races.’

With two wins from ten starts the horse that has ran in some fair decent company maybe one to take heed of what his jockey has mentioned in the back stages of a season and the win at Windsor being an easier contest for the horse, could be out again soon, and one to watch.

Menai.

The conditions race for three year olds and upwards saw Beardwood a horse with indifferent form take the race by 1/2 a length from Priors Brook from the Andrew Balding yard.

The four-year-old by Dutch Art out of a Be My Guest mare ran a creditable fourth in the Cambridgeshire, but disappointed at Redcar nine days ago, ‘ it was a race that suited him,’ mentioned Adam Kirby on board,

‘Its certain you would get another win out of him to be sure.’

Priors Rock (Left) Beardwood ( right)

Trained in Middleham by Mark Johnston,the horse was driven out by Kirby in the final furlong to win well in the end, and look hopefully the type if the handicapper treats him well to win a few more contests.

Zodiakos the favourite meanwhile came in well tailed off, under Jim Crowley, trained by Hugo Palmer the three-year-old stepping down in class, looked a good thing for a treble for the champion elect, the report back being the Kodiac gelding was never going, would be one to watch though.

The last race of the afternoon went to the Newmarket yard of Marco Botti. 

Owned by the Heart of the South Racing and ridden by Martin Harley, Velvet Revolution battled out well with the favourite Tyrell from Alan Kings yard to take the tree year old one mile three-furlong handicap by a nose.

Tyrell (left) Velvet Revolution (Right)

‘The horse has a lot of heart and gelding him has certainly helped him, he is a nice stayer, his brother was the same.’

By Pivotal out of a Perugino mare now with one win from five starts looks a type that will be better for another winter, still not looking the full package, but one surly to watch from a trainer that will surly bite back from a fairly quite season behind him.

‘The horse has a lot of heart and gelding him has certainly helped him, he is a nice stayer, his brother was the same.’

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A GREAT EIGHT AS WINDSOR TAKES ON WINTER

As the flat racing fraternity is still getting over French dressing from the weekend, Windsor racecourse starts to countdown it’s last three meetings of the 2015-16 season.

The great and the good were on display, not only in horseflesh but trainers and jockeys a like, and with fine late autumn weather and eight races on the card the good to soft ground bought some fine racing.

The first race a six-furlong maiden for three year olds, Henry Candy saddled 7/2 favourite Santorini to take the race by a length from Bella’s Venture.

Santorini 

Ridden by Dane O’Neill the three-year-old maiden stayed on to take his race well.

 By Tagula out of a Whipper mare,the gelding took a race that I would say could spring up a hatful of winners, a blanket separating the first seven horses home.

Still revelling over the yards fantastic Prix De La Foret win with stable star Limatoe the trainer seemed in fine spirits, despite a major piece of travelling over the past twelve hours.

Ridden by Dane O’Neill the three-year-old maiden stayed on to take his race well.

A fair few horses to notebook in this one,but one to note was third placed Hurricane Rock out of the Simon Dow yard. Idled a little in the stalls, but finished strong, jockey John Egan having difficulty pulling up.

But a good open race to boot,few to many to watch.

The next two races were a divided maiden stakes for two year olds over the Windsor mile.

Glorious Forever won division one, beating Dettori on John Gosden’s Jewel House by a neck. 

Ridden by George Baker fresh off his first group one success in the Prix Du Cadran on Quest for More,who mentioned, ‘He is a big type of horse that has been given plenty of time, he has idled a bit in front and as Frankie has come to join me he has gone on. He is a horse that has potential for sure.’

Glorious Forever

Ryan Moore

Division two of the maiden saw another successful jockey from the weekends French elegance continue in winning ways. 

Ryan Moore on Sir Michael Stouts Adamant took the race by a length and a quarter from again Mr Dettori on Hugo Palmer's Munawer.

The good looking Dalakhan colt seems a horse to note for next season and looks the type to improve.

Ryan Moore on Sir Michael Stouts Adamant took the race by a length and a quarter from again Mr Dettori on Hugo Palmer's Munawer.

The jockey in no mood for media during the afternoon, but more like having his fill of questions about his success in the Prix De l’arc. 

But to be sure the success for the jockey did not stop under the shadows of the palace of Chantilly.

Geneva Convention, Ryan Moore on top took the mile two-year-old handicap by half a length from the favourite Calibration ridden by Jim Crowley.

Geneva Convention, (far left) Ryan Moore on top took the mile two-year-old handicap

Trained by Richard Hannon, whom himself having a double for the afternoon, Skeaping taking the claiming stakes under Pat Dobbs who is off in October to Dubai to see out the British winter.

 Both horses looked very nice types, well bred to boot. 

Skeaping

Geneva Convention by Clodovil out of a Galileo mare, will now more likely be put away until his three-year-old campaign, but a horse well liked by the Marlborough trainer.

Skeaping by Excellent Art, again out of a Galileo mare, and wearing blinkers, this three-year-old beating the favourite Cold Fusion in the claiming stakes. Both horses claimed for their asking price.

Skeaping by Excellent Art, again out of a Galileo mare.

Geneva Convention

Glorious Forever won division one, beating Dettori on John Gosden’s Jewel House by a neck. 

 Adamant

Harry Bentley was another jockey stopping at the Royal Berkshire course, before going home from his excursions to France,

 Wild Hacked for the Marco Botti yard again beating Frankie Dettori by a short margin, half a length on Gosden’s Stratum.

Bentley still rolled over after his win on Limatoe, squeezed up between the Italian and the rails, holding on in the final few yards of the race.

Wild Hacked (far left) for the Marco Botti yard again beating Frankie Dettori by a short margin, half a length on Gosden’s Stratum.

Wild Hacked

‘He has won well really, he is a type that has to carry momentum through and I was always just in the space between Frankie and the rail, when I’ve asked him to go through it his momentum has taken him.’

The three-year-old seems to have improved with a step up in distance and was a pleasing winner for Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa who was in attendance.

The combination of Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni, disappointed on the promise of Promising in the Arc, yet no to be, made up for it in some sorts with a nice win in the three-year-olds Handicap with Tiercel.

This very competitive race saw the Olden Times colt out of a Diesis mare take the race on the line beating Outback Ruler trained by Clive Cox by a neck.

Tiercel (right) Outback Ruler (left)

‘He has always gone very well at home; the ground today wasn’t really to his liking but his class has seen him through. He has a lengthy stride which we haven’t really been able to use on the top of the ground.’

The colt now will more like be put away until next season, but again was a pleasing win for Prince Faisal who graced the Berkshire turf.

‘He has always gone very well at home; the ground today wasn’t really to his liking but his class has seen him through.'

As with Promising no excuses from the Newmarket trainer, the A game just did not cross the English Channel. But as the yard mentions we live to look on to next year.

To complete proceedings, the eighth race was a five furlongs’ dash for amateur riders. 

Fourteen runners to post 20/1 shot Frangarry ridden by nineteen-year-old Jessica Cooley, trained by Newmarket based Alan Bailey took the race by ¾ of a length from Head Space.

 Frangarry

‘That was amazing, he travelled so well, I ride him every day at the yard and the trainer said to jump him out get him settled and then just let him go, and he did just that.’

The young amateur on her first winner, the only other handful of rides coming on a few horses under rules and in Arab racing was delighted with the win, the four-year-old unable to get off the maiden streak in fourteen runs.

‘The yard hasn’t had a greatest of seasons, so it was good to get another win in, hope the boss is happy with me.’  Asked about turning professional? ‘if I can get my weight down then yes I’d love to turn apprentice.’

‘That was amazing, he travelled so well.'

The image above says it all smiles all around, not only for Jessica but all that attended this bumper card on the most quality of afternoons.

More Windsor meetings throughout the season can be seen at

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SATURDAY SEVEN AS FONTWELL END THE DOUBLE

Another day of racing at Fontwell. 

Seven races on the card, over an inch of rain falling on the East Sussex course since the last race from the previous days racing put the going from good, to soft ground causing a number of runners to withdraw.

But this didn’t dampen the spirits of the winning jockey from the last on the Friday, Sam Twiston Davies riding a double on the first day of the two day meet at Fontwell picked up the reins where he left off, riding again for Richard Newland he steered top weight Desert Sensation home by ten lengths in the three mile one furlong handicap hurdle.

Desert Sensation 

Leading from two out the four-year-old lengthened well up the hill Acadian following up. 

‘My fella really appreciated the ground on the softer side, and Mr Newlands horses are really well at the moment.’

 The Authorized gelding off top weight of 11st 12 lbs picked up his first ever trip into the winners enclosure and certainly looked the part. With the jockey who over the two days has had three wins from four rides.

And it did not stop there,the four runner novices chase over two miles three saw the young contender on board Paul Nicholls More Bucks who romped home by eight lengths from Tanit River.

The six-year-old well bred by Presenting out of a Epervier Blue mare lost his only danger two out, Agincourt Reef unshipping Josh Moore two out.

‘He has jumped around here well,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘he has had a year off with a leg injury, the ground with a little more give than yesterday has helped him, but it has given him confidence, now we have to see what mark he is off next time to see where to go with him.’

The horses class certainly saw him through on this occasion, the yard mentioning that there were no high plans for him, but rest assure the master of Ditcheat would have a goal in site.

‘My fella really appreciated the ground on the softer side, and Mr Newlands horses are really well at the moment.’

'It has given him confidence, now we have to see what mark he is off next time to see where to go with him.’

Aidan Coleman riding Midnight Shot out of the Charlie Longsdon yard took the two mile three furlongs’ handicap hurdle. 

The six-year-old, 7/4 favourite made all of the race to win unchallenged beating Dan Skelton’s Zarib by four lengths.

Midnight Shot

‘He is a very straight forward type really, and the yard is really well at the moment so it was nice to get the win on him.’ 

The yard certainly on good form taking a listed bumper in Ireland the day before with Snow Leopardess, team Longsdon certainly is finding the path as the season develops.

And it didn’t stop there for the Coleman-Longsdon combination, as Tinted Rose took the last the two mile one national hunt flat race by four lengths from Faheem out of the Lydia Richards yard.

Tinted Rose

The four-year-old filly progressing through her races certainly looks the type to start her hurdling, the stable reporting she has been schooling well at home. 

‘She isn’t the biggest of horses but certainly looks the type and should have more improvement yet.'

The jockey now on his 52^nd winner of the season ten behind Sam Twiston-Davies mentioned ‘she has made the most of her allowances today being a mare,and has the right attitude so she is a nice type.’ Nice type indeed and is certainly one for the notebooks.

‘He is a very straight forward type really, and the yard is really well at the moment.'

‘She isn’t the biggest of horses but certainly looks the type and should have more improvement yet.'

The two and half mile handicap chase was again short of runners, four going to the start, local trainer Gary Moore sending Anthony to post the 2/1 favourite. 

Sam Twiston Davies on Richard Newlands Top Cat Henry challenging the eventual winner two out only to receive a bump from the six-year-old showing that the ups and downs of jump racing for the young jockey were still very much apparent. 

This left Wilton Milan from the Skelton yard to chase home the winner only getting to four lengths from him by the winning line.

Anthony

‘It was a bit of a messy race really but he has done it well in the end, all the horses were having a bit of a wander due to the surface being a little bit greasy, it can’t be helped really with the amount of rain we have had in in the last twelve hours.’

The report from the yard was all is well for the Horsham trainer, and as well as Fontwell no horse or jockey out of the Moore yard should be ignored. (on writing this Ryan Moore winning the Prix de l’arc on Found is a definite sign.) 

‘It was a bit of a messy race really but he has done it well in the end.'

Affaire D’Honneur

Keeping on a French theme, Affaire D’Honneur took the two mile three furlongs’ novices hurdle beating Laoch Beagby a commanding eight lengths.

The Harry Whittington 3/10 favourite, the banker for the afternoon took the race up three out and was pushed clear of the four other runners by Gavin Sheenan to take his maiden race from four starts.

‘He has run in some nice races at the end of last season, running a nice race at Newbury, so he has deserved that win. He is a nice horse and today the plan was to get his head in front, that done there is a plan for him for further on but today is what we were concentrating on, if we had been beaten then it was back to the drawing board.’

The horse made it difficult for Sheenan up the straight having a look about so he has had to work hard, but out of a yard that goes from strength to strength as the seasons/months go forward the horse seems to be well liked by the Sparsholt trainer, and is one to red ink I feel in the notebooks.

'He is a nice horse and today the plan was to get his head in front.'

The conditional handicap chase over two and a half miles, a little more non-controversial that the previous days conditional race, went to the Anthony Honeyball yard with the six-year-old Unify ridden by Harry Cobden.

I say non-controversial,  up the straight the 8/11 favourite and second placed horse Highbury High came very close causing the stewards to have a look if it was the winner that caused the infringement, the winning margin only being ¾ of a length.

up the straight the 8/11 favourite and second placed horse Highbury High came very close causing the stewards to have a look if it was the winner that caused the infringement,

Neil Mullholland trainer of Highbury High was happy to concede as he thought it was his horse doing the movement towards the far side rail, his grey horse more likely shying from the mass din from the crowd willing the favourite home.

The stewards redeemed the race as placings unaltered Highbury High’s jockey Jordan Canavan being cautioned by the stewards as to further conduct.

The winner now on two wins from eighteen starts looks as if he could win again as now having his second victory on the bounce in no less than five days, could he be out a week later for the three timer? One to note.

Unify 

So as all horses travel home from thirteen races over two days racing at the West Sussex track, a lot has been learnt and seen. 

And as the Autumn sets in, the jump game now gathers momentum the question is. 

Have we seen something here at Fontwell that will be a star of this seasons National Hunt game, remember Cue card??

Blogs and images from both days racing can be seen at

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