Jim Crowley makes his mark with first win in new job

The news from Chelmsford on Thursday, where Jim Crowley's first ride for his new boss Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum was a winner.

The champion jockey, who replaced Paul Hanagan as Sheikh Hamdan's retained rider last month, enjoyed a smooth success on the son of Sea The Stars in the Weatherbys Racing Diaries Maiden Stakes.

Crowley had Naseem smartly out of the stalls so that he was able to cross over from his wide draw much nearer to the rail and share the lead with Desert Grey.

Kicking on two furlongs out, the 5/1 chance was soon clear and the John Gosden-trained youngster went on to score by five lengths from Auberge Du Lac on his second career start.

Crowley said: "It's a lovely start. When I saw the draw, 16 of 16, I thought we might be in a bit of trouble, but the horse broke very fast and I was able to get into a nice rhythm.

"He was dropping back to a mile from a mile and a quarter and he stayed that trip very well."

He added: "I've not really started yet. I leave for Dubai on January 2. Over the winter I'll try to do as much homework as I can and try to find out which horses I want to be on."

Richard Hills, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, told At The Races: "It's a nice winner on the first day. It shows you've got a bit of luck on your side.

"I'm going over to Dubai with Jim. I'll introduce him to all the trainers and to Sheikh Hamdan and show him the ropes."

On the winner, Hills said: "We'll put him away now. This is our last runner this year.

"We'll start again in February time and concentrate on horses in Dubai."

Realize (11-4 favourite) came with a storming run to claim the £28,000 first prize in the Weatherbys Stallion Book Conditions Stakes.

Sean Levey produced the Stuart Williams-trained six-year-old to overhaul long-time leader Donjuan Triumphant inside the final furlong and win by half a length.

Dragon Mall finished well on his first run for 99 days to take third place.

Levey said: "He's as straightforward a horse I've ever ridden on the all-weather. "He's a beautiful horse to ride round here and he had the form. You could not but fancy him today."

The Marco Botti-trained Vogueatti (5/6 favourite) was all out under Daniel Muscutt to hold Sea Dweller by a half-length in the winner.co.uk Acca Club Maiden Stakes.

Tom Marquand brought Jimmy Fox's Medicean El Diablo (5/1) with a strong challenge to follow up a Kempton success three weeks earlier in smart fashion in the winner.co.uk Mobile Loyalty Free Bets Handicap.

Veteran stayer King Olav (7/1) gave younger rivals a beating as he struck in the winner.co.uk Bet & Watch Handicap.

The Tony Carroll-trained 11-year-old won by three-quarters of a length from Yasir under 3lb-claimer George Downing.

Richard Guest's Tellovoi (16/1) got up in the dying strides under Dougie Costello to collar Street Duel by a short head in the winner.co.uk Beaten By A Length Free Bet Handicap.

The well-supported Master Of Heaven (7/2 favourite), ridden by Pat Cosgrave, came late to snatch the Keith Osborne's 60th Birthday Handicap for trainer Jim Boyle.