Crowley joy at 'great ride' on Leger favourite Crystal Ocean

A sensational summer could provide the springboard to a debut Classic success for man of the moment Jim Crowley, who believes he has "a very, very good chance" of capturing the William Hill St Leger on Crystal Ocean.

Having impressed Sir Michael Stoute with his handling of dual Group 1 winner Ulysses, the sport's reigning champion jockey will once again team up with the master trainer aboard the impressive Gordon Stakes winner.

Crowley, who took the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International on Ulysses either side of bagging the Qatar Sussex Stakes on Here Comes When, partnered Crystal Ocean for the first time in a sparkling Wednesday workout on the Limekilns.

The experience certainly whetted the appetite of Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey, whose new ally is quoted at 7-2 by the Leger sponsors.

"Crystal Ocean is obviously a great ride to pick up as he's favourite for the race and must go there with a very, very good chance," said Crowley.

"I rode him for the first time this morning and he worked nicely. I'm very much looking forward to the St Leger.

"Sheikh Hamdan doesn't have a runner in the race this year and it's a great spare ride to pick up."

Jim Crowley CV

Age 39
First ride Swedish Invader, Warwick, June 5, 1996 (finished last of 16)
First win on the Flat Robbo, Southwell, August 15, 1997
First win over jumps Captain Marmalade, Worcester, October 11, 1997
First Group winner Hawridge Prince (2006 Jockey Club Cup)
First Group 1 winner Lord Shanakill (2009 Prix Jean Prat)
Winners over jumps 253
Winners on the Flat in Britain and Ireland 1,387
Big races won Juddmonte International (Ulysses), Eclipse Stakes (Ulysses), Sussex Stakes (Here Comes When), King's Stand Stakes (Prohibit)

Crowley's association with Ulysses began in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes when Frankie Dettori was ruled out of Royal Ascot on the eve of the meeting. Since then the in-form jockey has also been employed on the yard's star filly Queen's Trust.

His latest major engagement has been sealed due to the unavailability of Ryan Moore, who partnered Crystal Ocean at Goodwood but is expected to steer market rival Capri for Aidan O'Brien.

Stoute said: "Jim rode Crystal Ocean this morning and we are hoping he will be available to ride him at Doncaster. He only worked with a maiden but seems in good shape."

Crystal Ocean looked to be on the upgrade when beating Khalidi in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes, a contest Stoute took with Conduit prior to his St Leger success in 2008.

Prior to that, the son of Sea The Stars finished third to the ill-fated Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, having skipped a tilt at the Derby.

Not a bad few weeks for the champ . . .

July 8: won the Eclipse on Ulysses
The week started badly for Crowley when he lost the ride on Eminent. It ended wonderfully when he got his association with Sir Michael Stoute off to a flyer by holding off Barney Roy in a Sandown thriller

August 8:won the Sussex on Here Comes When
It may not have been the best Group 1 ever staged but Crowley wasn't complaining when getting Andrew Balding's 20-1 chance home in front of three-time Group 1 winner Ribchester

August 23:won the International on Ulysses
Made his first ride in the Knavesmire feature count when once again riding a supremely confident race to thump Churchill and Barney Roy

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

Vintage Stoute as sparkling Ulysses makes it super six

From a tough axing to a great victory for Sandown star Crowley

Crystal Ocean gives Leger pointer in latest exercise

An interview with Jim Crowley in RP Sunday's Big Read