There is the prospect of further heavy showers at Windsor ahead of this evening’s seven race card. Conditions were described as good to soft – good in places – on Sunday morning.
There is a competitive 10f fillies’ handicap and I would be disappointed if it did not go to one of the unexposed three-year-olds in the field. Invincible Lass – 9/2 from 13/2 with William Hill – staps up in trip on her handicap debut and there is plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of her pedigree. I will be saving on Marco Botti’s filly, but I have been waiting for Hollywood Lady (8.15) since she finished runner up over 12f here on soft ground seven weeks ago.
Ralph Beckett’s filly was well supported on that occasion and only gave best inside the final furlong when going down by a length to Olympic Theatre who followed up at Haydock and is now rated 15lbs higher. The selection had previously been beaten a nose off level weights by Gloria Mundi with Sea Karats back in third.
Both those filles are now rated 97 while Hollywood Lady runs from a mark of 72 this evening. She holds outstanding form claims. Rob Hornby takes over in the saddle for the first time with regular jockey Rossa Ryan going to Nottingham for three rides. There was 7/2 available on Saturday evening but she was quickly cut to 11/4 and has been backed into a best price of 13/8 with 10Bet on Sunday evening.
In the opening handicap chase at Worcester Sizing At Midnight (1.45) has dropped to the same mark as when jumping boldly and making all at Ffos Las back in October and he came down three out when going as well as anything off a 12lbs higher mark in the Badger Beer at Wincanton the following month. He had been in the doldrums – as many in the yard were – prior to a more encouraging run at Newton Abbott over hurdles last time. Harry Cobden takes over in the saddle and the each way recommendation is 7/1 with MansionBet – do note he would not want too much rain.
I will also be throwing a few quid each way on Oscar Montel who was backed as if defeat was out of the question when runner up on his British debut for Charlie Longsdon at Hexham last month. The Irish import is blinkered for the first time today and is entitled to come on for the run although his jumping will need to improve in this company.
Thistle Do Nicely is bred to be a chaser and a market move for Jamie Snowden’s lightly raced 7-y-old would be worth noting. The gelding was a beaten favourite over hurdles at Market Rasen in May when he failed to give his running on ground, arguably, softer than ideal. If the rain stays away, he must have his chance although he pulled up few trees on his only other start over fences albeit in a better race than today’s.
Fraternal (2.20) made a mistake four out but was just getting back into the race when diving at three out and coming down at Market Rasen last time. He looks to me as if he will get three miles and I hope to see Tom Cannon ensure a true test dropping back in trip. Further rain would not be an inconvenience for Alan King’s runner who is 9/4 with BetVictor.
Castel Gandolfo (4.40) goes in search of his hat-trick in the 2m handicap hurdle having won a maiden hurdle at Fakenham and novice hurdle over today’s C&D last time. The handicapper has not overreacted, and he gets the vote on his handicap debut for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan. The selection is 2s with MansionBet.
Keeper is likely to be all the rage for the 12f handicap at Ripon, but I am not convinced he achieved a great deal when scoring at Brighton last time and Carrigilliihy (7.30) appreciated the step up to today’s trip when scoring at Pontefract last week. On a line through Yagan the Easterby runner has the beating of Keeper although I appreciate the latter looked to improve for the application of headgear on the south coast.
