Jim Crowley bowled over by Al Quoz Sprint hope Ertijaal

Champion jockey Jim Crowley has hailed Ertijaal as "something else" ahead of his bid for glory in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.Once considered a Classic prospect when trained by William Haggas a few years ago, the son of Oasis Dream has really come into his own since being dropped in trip by Ali Al Rayhi.Ertijaal won two of his three starts in Dubai last winter before finding only Buffering too strong on World Cup night.The six-year-old has been hugely impressive in his two outings so far in 2017 and Crowley is confident he can go one better than 12 months ago and complete the hat-trick.He said: "I rode Ertijaal earlier in the week and he felt good. I can't wait to sit on him, really."Whenever I've ridden him at the races he's given me an unbelievable feel - like I've never had off another horse."I've had nice sprinters to ride - King's Stand horses - but this is something else."I just hope he can do it on the track. If he can reproduce what he's done so far, he should take all the beating."Ertijaal is part of a strong book of rides for Crowley, who is still bedding in as the retained rider for leading owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.He said: "There's a small bit of pressure, but pressure is good - it makes you focused."It's been a whirlwind sort of year and it was fantastic to end up getting the job."Heading the British challenge on the six-furlong contest is the Henry Candy-trained Limato.Last year's devastating July Cup winner returns to sprinting on his first start since finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Mile in November.Big-race jockey Harry Bentley said: "He's very good and I think the track is going to suit him great."The race seems to be plenty competitive. Ertijaal is an obvious contender, but there should be plenty of pace and I think everything will probably suit him."He obviously ran last in November in the Breeders' Cup, so he hasn't had a race for five months now."He's had a bit of time off, but I know Mr Candy is happy with him and he seems in good spirits."Fingers crossed he can run a big race."Stable companions Jungle Cat and Baccarat do battle for the third time this year.Baccarat was a narrow winner when the pair met in January, but Jungle Cat emphatically reversed the form three weeks ago.Trainer Charlie Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "Jungle Cat came on for his first run out here in Dubai and put up a very good performance to finish second to Ertijaal over five furlongs in the Meydan Sprint."He appreciated the step back up to six furlongs last time and goes into this race in very good order."We have Ertijaal to beat again, but I feel more confident taking him on over this distance."Baccarat beat Jungle Cat on his first outing this year and met a bit of traffic in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint."He was doing his best work at the end and I think a strongly-run six furlongs is going to suit him."He is a player for the placings."Jeremy Gask's stable stalwart Medicean Man won at Meydan in January - his 13th career success - but was well beaten on his latest appearance in Qatar.Gask is set to retire the 11-year-old after the Al Quoz Sprint."He's taken us to all the best places and rarely let us down," said the Hampshire handler."I missed his first win at Meydan in 2013, when I was stuck in England because of a problem with my passport."The biggest thrill he's given me would have to be when he won here in January, because of his age and the fact my daughter Darcie, who's obsessed with racing, was here, plus he was ridden by my apprentice David Parkes, who's had a lot of bad luck with injuries."It will be difficult to bring his career to an end because he just loves racing, but two things are certain - we will miss him, but he will always have a good home."Paul Midgley saddles Final Venture, while Irish hopes rest on Aidan O'Brien's Washington DC.O'Brien's son, Donnacha, said of the latter: "He was probably slightly below top Group One level last year, but we're hoping he'll improve at four and he might be able to make his mark in the big Group Ones this year."