1:55 Windsor – Fitzdares Great Park Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) Etalon 4/1 2pt WIN
I’ve followed ETALON closely since he rattled off an impressive hat trick in handicap chases this time last season, beginning when beating Martator at Newbury off 120, with that one now rated 34lbs higher and re-opposes here. The Sholokhov gelding went off the boil after a poor display in the G1 Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in the spring, and he’s struggled in his three handicaps this season.
He was given an eye-catching ride by Harry Skelton last time out at Cheltenham when beaten eighteen lengths in rear, but he wasn’t given a hard time and shaped as if there was another target in mind. Now appears the appropriate time to pull the trigger with him, as he’ll need to be winning races off this mark of 135 to get in to some of the spring handicaps later in the season.
The Skelton’s are targeting this meeting, and with the Jockey’s Cup and Trainer’s title on the agenda for both Harry and Dan, they’re unlikely to sit this one out with Etalon who’s well handicapped to come back into form as he did this time last year (form figures of 3111 in January/February).
2:30 Windsor – Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Dans Le Vent 14/1 1pt EW 4 places
Evan Williams runs two here, including the long awaited return of the 2023 Hyde Novices’ winner Minella Missile, who could be anything off this mark off 138. I suspect there will be market support for him, and that could see his other mount DANS LE VENT fly under the radar.
I was keen on his chances at Kempton prior to the abandonment, and he was a bet for the column at Haydock when given no chance in rear, beaten nine lengths by Steel Ally. The race generally favoured those to the fore with the winner making all and the second remaining in that position for most of the race, so we can marginally upgrade his effort on that basis.
He improved on RPR’s when again given plenty to do at Chepstow next time out, but he was only beaten a length by a progressive six year old of Olly Murphy’s, and despite Phantomofthepoints hanging badly right at the last, he did at least frank the form yesterday with a win at Wincanton.
While he is long in the tooth now as a twelve year old, he’s seen little racing in the last three years presumably due to injury and he’s gradually coming back to the boil. The step back up to a flat three miles at Windsor will suit given he took the G3 Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock back in 2021, and he’s thrown in on his peak form from that season given he’s 17lbs lower.
3:40 Windsor – Fitzdares Windsor Stayers Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-125 – Not Sure 20/1 1pt EW 4 places
NOT SURE was third in this race last season off 6lbs higher, only beaten ten lengths with six of the twelve runners pulling up. He struggled to carry 12-0 on heavy ground at Uttoxeter when failing to give his running despite a 11/10F, and he didn’t fare much better when beaten thirty two lengths on seasonal debut at Hereford in December.
This renewal isn’t blessed with a plethora of assured stayers, but if Not Sure has come on for that reappearance then he’s one guaranteed to be keeping on at the business end. The return of the blinkers bode well as his record in them reads 1313, and a bold bid can be expected now he’s back on his last winning mark.
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