Hi all,
It’s the final day of the Berkshire Winter Million and the feature is the £165,000 Fleur De Lys Chase (3:00). ITV Racing will show five races live from Windsor, with two more from Fakenham, rounding off a strong weekend of action.
Inside today’s main piece I’ve previewed the five live ITV races from Windsor.
Windsor
1:20 – Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) – 3m½f
This race, originally due to be run at Warwick last Saturday, has been switched to this card for the second year running.
Salver ran to form when fourth, beaten 5½ lengths by Kitzbuhel in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. First-time cheekpieces look a positive and the softer ground will suit. He sets the form standard.
Wade Out made it 2-2 over fences when landing a Listed novice chase at Cheltenham in November. It looked hard work last time but he’s capable of better as a staying chaser and softer ground can help him improve again.
Moon Rocket was a useful staying novice hurdler last season and is capable of more over fences than he’s shown so far. The 6yo won’t be fazed by ground conditions and the yard is in good form. Getting 5lb from the front two, he’s firmly in the mix if this race is run at a good gallop.
1:50 – Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m
Mighty Bandit had to be kept up to his work to beat Highlands Legacy by 1¾ lengths at Newbury last month. He’s up 5lb but should go well again – Non-Runner
Highlands Legacy is 2lb better off here and is capable of better over fences. A cleaner round of jumping than at Newbury could see him back in the winner’s enclosure.
Mirabad was ridden aggressively from the front when a 7¼-length third in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad at Kempton. Likely to adopt similar tactics on handicap debut, though his best form has come away from very soft ground.
Nells Son hasn’t matched last season’s best form on two starts this season but is now 3lb below his last winning mark. He’s well suited by soft ground and is more than capable of going close if bouncing back.
2:25 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m
Lud’or was hit with a 16lb rise after an easy Bangor win but still ran well when third at Newbury over 2m4½f last time. Testing ground suits. His stamina for three miles must be taken on trust, but he looks the right favourite.
Lord Snootie was well beaten at Ascot on his return from a 434-day absence. That run should have blown away the cobwebs. A C&D winner, he needs to show he’s retained his ability, but if he has there’s a staying handicap in him on soft ground.
Love Of Neymore ran to form when third at Cheltenham last time. A winner at Chepstow two starts back. She’s steadily progressive and can go close again for a yard that won this race last year.
Royal Rambler improved for stepping up in trip (2m7½f) when a ¾ length second at Chepstow. Up 4lb but still on a workable mark and unexposed over staying trips. The yard has bounced back to form recently and has an excellent Windsor strike-rate.
Minella Missile shaped better than the bare result here last time and was still in contention when making a bad mistake two out. Stamina for three miles is unproven but he should stay. Not discounted.
3:00 – Fleur De Lys Chase (Class 2) – 2m6f
Protektorat made all to win this race last year and has had the same prep this season. The race conditions mean he carries 8lb less this time. He’s the clear pick on form.
Handstands a high-class novice chaser last season is the main danger and returns from wind surgery. He’ll need to have improved plenty though to give Protektorat 8lb.
3:35 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m4½f
With 16 runners, this is arguably Sunday’s most competitive race.
Special John is 2-2 over fences after a Wincanton (3m2½f) win last month. Only 5lb higher here and looks a promising young stayer open to further improvement.
Express Surprise also arrives in good form after back-to-back wins. Loves soft ground, should stay the trip, and could improve again for the step up in distance.
Jupiter Des Bordes has progressed well and was a solid second over this distance at Haydock last time. Just 1lb higher here and remains unexposed over marathon trips.
Yes Day ran well over an inadequate 2m4f last time. A winner over 3m6½f at Exeter last season, he stays very well and is now 1lb below his last winning mark. Best form has come on a sounder surface.
Neo King never got competitive from the rear in the Borders National but stays well and handles soft ground. Cheekpieces go on for the first time and Ben Jones takes over. Not ruled out if the headgear sharpens him up.
Planned Paradise wasn’t at his best last time at Ludlow (2m4f) but won this race 12 months ago and is now 7lb lower. Not the easiest to predict but back over a more suitable trip, he’s too well handicapped to ignore.
Tomorrow I’ll be looking back on Saturday’s big race action at Ascot and Haydock.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John