Jim Crowley makes it five as mighty colt Molatham prevails in Jersey Stakes

Roger Varian turned up to Ascot unsure about soft conditions for Molatham but left dreaming of bigger things to come after a battling win in the Jersey Stakes under man of the week Jim Crowley.

The form book told two contrasting stories prior to Molatham's Ascot assignment, with the huge promise of a Listed win over 2,000 Guineas second Wichita opposed by a doubt about the rain-sodden ground after an underwhelming fourth on soft at Newmarket in October.

Jersey Stakes result and replay

But connections need not have worried. The 11-2 shot carted Crowley into the race and although the Jersey looked wide open two furlongs out, he was travelling noticeably best and kicked on.

However, he also had to display resolve in addition to class, battling back past the patiently ridden Monarch Of Egypt, who had challenged in the centre of the track and briefly headed Molatham in the final furlong.

Molatham: got the better of Monarch Of Egypt to win the Jersey StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Varian enjoyed three winners on Ladies' Day and Crowley recorded a double after winning aboard Khaloosy in the Britannia. He also rode a treble on Tuesday and a winner on Wednesday.

Crowley said: "He had the one run on soft ground last year and didn't fire, but his form before that was very strong – he beat Wichita and we were thinking of the Guineas for him.

"He stuck it out well, he got headed but in fairness to him he came back. I probably got there too soon but he arrived and was going so well. On this ground it's hard to sit and expect to quicken.

"The reason we came back to seven is we weren't sure he'd get a mile. On that run you'd say he would, but if we'll go ten furlongs I'm not sure."

While the Jersey has a rich history of producing good horses, with several recent winners subsequently running over a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, the seven furlongs of the Prix Jean Prat appears a viable alternative, for all that Varian would not be drawn into immediate speculation about future targets.

One thing was for sure though, he knows he has a good one at Carlburg Stables.

"He's always had an attitude and temperament to die for," said Varian. "To see him fight back and tough it out on the track shows he's a fighter.

"We had concerns coming in, he didn't get home in the Autumn Stakes. Perhaps that was too much of a stamina test at that point in his development.

"He doesn't lack for pace, he travelled beautifully into it. He's got plenty of gears and looks like he'll stretch out to a mile so he has lots of options."

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