Hi all,
In today’s main piece I focus on the key races from Windsor’s Berkshire Winter Festival cards. highlighting the performances to note for the weeks ahead.
Windsor Notebook
Yesterday I mentioned the excellent value of the £40 three-day ticket for the Berkshire Winter Million.
I really enjoyed the three days across Windsor and Ascot. Friday went well with a couple of winners, although the less said about Saturday and Sunday from a betting perspective, the better. That said, it was still an enjoyable three days of sport.
It’s not top-class in the mould of the Dublin Racing Festival, which is one of the best innovations Irish racing has produced in my lifetime. But you never know how this meeting might develop in the coming years.
I often side with those who criticise how racing is run in Britain. However, the Berkshire Winter Million is a genuinely good initiative at a point in the winter jumps season that can feel flat.
The weather has been kind over the past two years, which won’t always be the case, but hopefully the meeting can grow and strengthen, much like the Dublin Racing Festival has.
Friday
Hot Fuss landed the valuable Sovereign Handicap Hurdle. After his Sandown run earlier in the month, I wrote:
“A move away from front-running could suit as I don’t think he needs to lead. Either that or carrying 11-11 on a stiff track was too much for the 5yo. He’s on a winnable mark, but I really want to see him ridden differently.”
Hot Fuss isn’t the biggest and was carrying only 10-11 on Friday over a sharper two miles. More importantly, he was ridden differently and not gunned out from the front. The result? He won. He’s a tough horse, and with this new approach, he would have claims in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury despite a 5lb penalty.
The horse to take from the race was Live Conti (Dan Skelton). He was given far too much to do from the rear. He settled well in first-time hood, and it’s likely a plan is forming for the 5yo. There's a chance he could stay further, so the Coral Cup is possible, but the County Hurdle at the Festival looks more likely. Both races the trainer has had success in recent years.
Sunday
Scorpio Rising completed the hat-trick in the novices’ handicap hurdle (2m4f). He remains a horse on the up and goes well on soft ground. According to the Racing Post, his main target is likely to be Sandown in March.
That race should suit him perfectly, and he’s one to keep on side on his favoured underfoot conditions.
I was surprised Protektorat wasn’t odds-on for the Fleur de Lys Chase. He was getting 8lb from nearest rival Handstands, yet in a handicap he’d be giving him 11lb. Runner-up Resplendent Grey needs further, and the track didn’t suit him. Handstands finished a 6¼-length third, but I’m not convinced the wind surgery has had the desired effect.
Go To War won the Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle. He’d failed to take to fences on his previous two starts this season and was better served back over hurdles. This was his first run over 3m in that sphere, so he remains unexposed at the trip. If the handicapper doesn’t go too hard on him, he should remain competitive and could go in again.
First-time cheekpieces worked the oracle for Neo King in the Stayers’ Handicap Chase. This is what I wrote my Sunday preview of the race.
“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”.
One For Next Time
The one to take from the race is Special John (Sam Thomas). He was well backed (9/4, fav) but finished a 13½-length fifth. He ran well for a long way but faded once headed two out. The 7yo remains on a workable mark, but his stamina gave out. Dropped back to 3m1f–3m2f, he can win again.
Before I finish, I checked the going for Haydock’s Saturday card. Officially it was good to soft, but the chase course rode no worse than good and, was bordering good to firm.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John