Jim Crowley gives us an exclusive preview of his two rides on day three of Royal Ascot, including an exciting ride on Al Asifah in the Ribblesdale who was the talk of the town last week after her recent scintillating victory in a Listed contest at Goodwood.

15:40 Royal Ascot – Al Asifah

I’d sat on Al Asifah at home prior to her debut run and she’d given me a lovely feel, so even though I was riding at Sandown when she made her debut at Haydock it wasn’t a surprise to see her win so well. I didn’t sit on her after Haydock, but was obviously looking forward to riding her at Goodwood where she really couldn’t have been any more impressive. 

Both those wins have been over ten furlongs on quick ground, but she’s bred to get this mile and a half trip and she gives me the feel of a filly who will stay without any problems. Although she’s only run twice and her last win was in Listed company, we could have stepped her straight into group one company such was the impression she made at Goodwood. The Irish Oaks is a few weeks away, and she was raring to go again, so it made sense to supplement her for this prestigious Group 2. She could be our best chance of the week. 

She’s in the best of hands and was given plenty of time to mature, not running her as a two-year-old and being a Shadwell homebred makes it all even more special for Sheikha Hissa and the team. Hopefully we’ve a real good one on our hands, and a winner at this meeting is what we’re all aiming for. However, whilst we’re expecting a big run here, I’d say whatever she does at three, she’d be even better if kept in training next year, she really is that exciting.

17:35 Royal Ascot – Dancing Magic

I rode this fellow a couple of times last year, and his fourth at Doncaster to the subsequent Derby winner was a decent run. He ran well on his first start as a 3-year-old, but was well beaten in the Dante last time, so he’ll have a hood on him here and that will hopefully help him settle better. He’s clearly got ability, and if he settles, could outrun his odds.

Jim Crowley, Coral Racing Ambassador