And so you’re back, reformed at work. ARC just woke up with memories of how you looked at the track.
And so they tested it with a few tricks, tweaks by Charlie Rees, so we’re ready to go this Sunday, Windsor is back with bonhomie.
The frivolity over, let’s get down to the more serious business of finding five high-percentage horses on the card and why.
Helnwein
12.45 Fitzdares Royal Windsor Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Alan King, who sent three winners to the old Windsor jumps course as trainer, is refueling his National Hunt fire this season based on an increase in all the major indicators, with strike rates improving to 18% (highest since 2018/19) and running -form ratio of 63%, the fifth best in the British yard so far this campaign.
One of Barber Castle’s brightest sparks, Helnwein finished last season beating Be Aware in the Sandown Valuable Novice Final and made a particularly positive start from the Warwick fences when he turned out (in quick time) with the fit and flying Telepathique, who was second at Listed level. It’s hard to fathom that the handicapper is only tipping him £1 for it, generous to say the least. and Helnwein has many more improvements in him, from the family of 1996 Champion Clairon Davis.
Tanganyika
1.55 Fitzdares Thames Handicap Chase
The last time a jumper race was held at Windsor – 16 December 2005 – Tony Blair was Prime Minister, outgoing BHB chairman Peter Saville announced that increasing the fixture list (to 1,500 matches) was the way forward, Jordan and Peter Andre had just married : , and Venetia Williams won the card with Jolly Boy, who finishes was the 18-day quintet under the leadership of Sam. Thomas: At least Venice is still strong.
Tanganyika hardly looked natural on her first run over fences, but the low lights were at both ends of the race, first when she was a novice and third when she tired, and in between she looked suitably athletic and less aggressive than usual to compensate Charlie Deutsch returned to Windsor with an easier score of 0-130 than Bangor. Jaguar landed the next time out with winners in second and fourth, and Tanganyika is now back to her best 3m trip in a race that looks to be hers. to possess
Little Soiree
2.30 Fitzdares Windsor Castle Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Which triple Grade 1 winner was the only horse to ever run in the Windsor jumps for Willie Mullins?The answer to that incredibly difficult question is Rule Supreme, third to Barracuda and Crystal D’Aine in the 2004 Transferred Long Walk. Little Soiree had a chance when she finished second in both Willie Mullins’ starts and is still a two-year-old girl, two trainers and seven starts. but there are reasons to classify him as a lively long-stemmed obstacle.
First, this will be his handicap debut, a much better way for him to express himself, especially compared to his incomparable reappearance at Newbury in Listed company, where he traveled and jumped smoothly until he was inevitably dropped from third and spared a tough race afterwards. And then there’s his British debut in the Kempton Rookie, for which he was ranked third (129-rated Wyonet) before finally dropping out, a glimmer of form that makes his mark of 105 attractive 27% (3/11) compared to 10% in the previous two months, representing a stable and indeed turnaround accommodation.
Duhallow Tommy
3.05 Fitzdares Telephone Betting Handicap Chase
Hidden Hasting, the returning Reilly and the abstract Zertact make this a handicap headache, but all the more reason to look for comfort in the sturdy Duhallow Tommy, who still looks up. , with the latter conceding to Rath Gaul Hill at Newbury in March.
Although third best on his return, the pair he faced at Fontwell, Lord Cheshire and Jupiter Du Geet, were both rated in the mid-120s and therefore overqualified for it, and he rated them at 95%. h: race. Yes, it could be that one of the dark horses is too hot, and the market would make sense in that regard, but Duhallow Tommy is both a strong traveler and a smooth-jumping, useful asset if Windsor is a rewarding track at pace, we think he will be.
Loverdose
3.40 Fitzdares Windsor Christmas Handicap Hurdle
Given that the last big race on the last big day of jumps at Windsor in 2005 was won by The Listener in the Grade 2 Novice Chase for Robert Allner, it would be somewhat fitting and parallel if his son-in-law Robert Walford could get on the scoreboard at the grand reopening, and he could with Loverdose.
Rising quickly, Loverdos won his first two handicaps and it would have been three at Chepstow last month, but a second-last error nevertheless beat 15 of his 16 rivals after a late rally.He’s up another 7lbs to 98, but it wasn’t to be hamper Loverdos given the form he produced at Chepstow and it is ongoing advice that his half-brother was second In Galway Hurdles and Melbourne Cup (hint: course, he was trained by Willie Mullins).
Watch Windsor live on Sky Sports Racing this Sunday 15th December
