IT is not surprising that Jim Crowley got the call up from Sir Michael Stoute to ride Crystal Ocean in the St Leger next week, given that Ryan Moore is certain to be riding for Aidan O’Brien in the race. Crowley is the reigning champion, and he has been riding out of his boots of late.

Crowley has ridden plenty for Sir Michael Stoute this season through his job with Sheikh Hamdan. He rode Mustashry to win the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York and he rode Fidaawy to win a big handicap there the previous day and he rode Taamol to win the King Charles II Stakes.