Paul Mulrennan Column: Crowley integral to Baaeed success story

Although there are still a few weeks of the turf season remaining, Ascot effectively brings the curtain down on the Flat season courtesy of QIPCO British Champions Day.

Fair play to William Buick for becoming Champion Jockey. He’s fully deserving of the accolade having had his foot down from the outset, riding in most of the races every single day. I’d also like to congratulate Benoit De La Sayette for bouncing back from a difficult period to become Champion Apprentice.

From a personal viewpoint, it was great to secure a 100th winner this year at Newcastle on friday evening and I’m delighted to finish fourth in the standings behind William, Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand after an unbelievable season.

I’d like to offer my thanks to the many owners and trainers who have supported me with rides throughout the season.

Baaeed has drawn the all too inevitable comparisons with Frankel, but I must confess that I take a strong dislike to such comparisons between eras. Racehorses possess their own attitudes, unique qualities, and distinct styles of racing.

What you can say, though, is that William Haggas has done an incredible job with Baaeed. He’s unbeaten after all and another win in the QIPCO Champion Stakes will see him take that proud record forward to stud.

William has minded Baaeed throughout his career, bringing him along expertly since making a winning debut at Leicester less than 18 months ago. Hindsight shows that it was the correct decision to bypass France (in bottomless ground) for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Furthermore, the role played by Jim Crowley shouldn’t be understated. Jim has always been an exceptional horseman. I was apprentice to Patrick Haslam in Middleham when Jim was riding over jumps for the likes of Alan Swinbank and Sue and Harvey Smith.

You’d look at him back then and think he could easily be a Flat jockey, so it isn’t by luck that he became Champion and later took on the retainer with Shadwell. I had two rides over hurdles, so can testify that jumps racing is a completely different sport.

Of course, Baaeed should win, the betting says so, but it’s important to recognise Adayar as a Derby and King George winner. He’s had that time away from the track but he did win well at Doncaster and won’t mind the forecast soft ground. Ascot is a more demanding 1m2f than York, with Adayar being by far the toughest rival that Baaeed has faced.

The Coronation Stakes heroine Inspiral should appreciate the underfoot conditions in a trappy Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. However, there are others to consider, namely Ryan Moore’s mount The Revenant. Francois-Henri Graffard’s seven-year-old waw second in this race in 2019, won it in in 2020 and was a creditable fourth to Baaeed last year.

Modern Games, an impressive winner of the Woodbine Mile, deserves a positive mention. As a French Guineas winner, and a Prix du Jockey Club third, he’ll also handle these conditions. Of the others and given the fact that he didn’t have anything go according to plan at Newmarket, Archie Watson’s Tempus offers a suitable each-way alternative to The Revenant.

Away from QIPCO British Champions Day, I’m at Catterick on Saturday for four booked rides, with a pair each for William Haggas and Dianne Sayer.

Good Gracious (1.35pm) bumped into a decent looking rival in the shape of In These Shoes at Redcar recently, so ought to be competitive in the opening 7f fillies’ novice. She’s my best chance of a winner.

Glory And Gold (2.10pm) didn’t see too much racing room on her return from a break at Lingfield last time and drops back in trip into a suitable 7f fillies’ novice. She has an official BHA rating of 64.

Arranmore (2.45pm) sports a tongue-tie on his second start for Dianne Sayer. He’s been with various trainers, including Jim Bolger and David O’Meara.

His stablemate Detective (4.25pm) has been a legend for the Sayer family over the years. Related to the useful Juddmonte filly Laurel, he’s a capable horse over a variety of trips.

Although best suited to Carlisle, this trip (1m4f) on soft ground should enhance his chance. He’s a character, so I’m hopeful that the change of scenery - first run at Catterick - might coax something extra from him.