Coral Racing Ambassador, Jim Crowley, provides a preview of his six rides at Sandown on Saturday and his one ride at Chantilly on Sunday, Arabie, in the Group 3 Prix du Bois.

Not long now until the biggest week of the Flat season, but before we head to Royal Ascot – where we should have some interesting rides to look forward to. I’ve got a busy weekend, with six at Sandown, and then on Sunday I’m off to Chantilly for one nice ride.

Saturday

13:30 Sandown – Mafnood

I start at the Esher track on Mafnood, who’s joint top rated in this opening handicap. He’s run a couple of nice races so far this season, finishing second and third, and I’ve been keen to see him with the blinkers on, as I think they’ll just sharpen him up. We’re drawn well in five, I can go forward on him from there, and dropping back a furlong in trip won’t hinder him, he’s won over a mile so has plenty of speed. I think he can go very close.

14:40 Sandown – Unbreak My Heart

Unbreak My Heart had some nice form as a 2-y-o, but she’s not really shown that level so far this season. We are drawn well here, a low draw on this Sandown five furlongs course is a big plus, so if she can take a step forward on what she’s shown this year, she could run OK.

15:15 Sandown – Jarraaf

I rode this fellow to win on his debut last year at Kempton, and I liked him a lot. He’s had one run this season, finishing third at Newbury, and I’d say he’ll come on plenty for that run. We’re drawn in one, which means I’ll probably have to make use of him early on to get a position, otherwise you can find yourself in plenty of traffic over this trip. If we get a clear run, he’s another I can see going close.

15:50 Sandown – Mutaawid

This colt is a full brother to our Group One winner Mostahdaf, so pedigree wise he’s got plenty about him, and also plenty to live up to! I’ve ridden him on both of his starts to date, and so far he’s been disappointing, he certainly hasn’t reproduced the work he’s shown at home. 

He’s been a bit of a playboy really, and hasn’t put his mind fully to the job of racing, but we’ve got cheekpieces on him here, and he’s stepping up a furlong, both of which will hopefully help him settle down. He’s got the talent, he just needs to put it all in on the track.

16:25 Sandown – Get The Music On

Another one for Clive Cox, and another off top weight, in this fillies’ handicap. I’ve ridden Get The Music On once before, when we finished second at Newmarket, and she filled the same spot at Kempton on her last run earlier this month. If she’s in that sort of form again here I think she’s got a great chance.

17:00 Sandown – Saligo Bay

Saligo Bay mixes hurdling with flat racing for Gary and Josh Moore, he ran well at Windsor last time over a trip probably as short as he needs, so stepping up to 1 mile 6 furlongs should suit him, and for a team that always seem to do well at the track, hopefully he’s got an each-way chance.

Sunday

13:05 Chantilly – Arabie

I’m actually suspended in the UK on Sunday, but as it’s a Group 1 day in France [the Prix De Diane] I can ride there, and so I’m really looking forward to riding Arabie in the 2-y-o six furlongs Group 3. I rode him to win at York last month, we only won a neck but I’d say he did it a shade cosily, and there should be more improvement to come from him here. He’s an exciting juvenile and I’m delighted to be on him again, I hope he can make the trip worthwhile.

Jim Crowley, Coral Racing Ambassador