MONDAY EVENING RACING AT WINDSOR 24TH JULY 2017

Soft ground and late summer evening sunshine saw a good sized audience come out to the Berkshire racecourse, not only for the sixties entertainment after racing, but also to support the solid entrants for the six races on offer. Only a few backed out due to the unsuitable going due to the deluge of rain over the weekend in the Royal county, this not though making much difference to the good sport on offer for a mid summer Monday evening meeting.

The first race saw fourteen sprightly fillies take to the six furlong tack for a novice auction stakes. 7/1 shot Villa Savina bringing home the race for Lambourn based Clive Cox, a trainer with a good recorded around the figure of eight track. The two year old under the guidance of  Sam Hitchcott held her line well as second a third placed horses Sweet Vixen and Pat Cosgrave and Charles Bishop on Bhindi veered over to the middle of the course within the final half furlong.

Villa Savina (left) brings home the race for Lambourn based Clive Cox. The two year old under the guidance of  Sam Hitchcott held her line well as second a third placed horses Sweet Vixen and Pat Cosgrave and Charles Bishop on Bhindi (right) veered over to the middle of the course within the final half furlong

The stewards looking into the placing reversing the second and third in the stewards room.

Of the winner, the jockey on his tenth winner of the season mentioned,' I ride her a fair bit at home and she has always been a straight forward sort. We knew if she jumped out well enough today she would go close and she has done that to be fair.

 Trainer Clive Cox, no stranger to the winners enclosure at the Berkshire track mentioned, ' We had her brother in the yard also Ticks the Boxes and he won his maiden here also, but she is a nice sort that didn't sell at the yearling sales due to a scar over her knee, but we're delighted to have her and she has took her race well today.'

Villa Savina

The yard in fine form at present with six winners from the last twenty two entrants, with many good entries in place over the next few months certainly seems a outfit to follow, as well as this nice big sort of a two tear old by Elusive Pimpernel. Take note of all i would say.

The next race a mile three furlong fillies handicap was taken by the Ed Walker trained  Di Alta by three quarters of a length from Jive Talking from the Michael Bell yard.

Ridden by  Thomas Brown the three year old well bred filly by High Chaparral out of a Caerleon mare has progressed from her second place at Doncaster  at the beginning of the month. 'Around the bend she switched off a bit for me but picked up well again when i wanted her to. When in front she didn't really want to do a lot, but she has made easy work of the race in the end.' Mentioned a jockey who works hard to get his rides, when opportunities come he rarely is wanting.

The trainer Ed Walker more readily praising the works of the jockey mentioned,' Tom works very hard for us at home and it is good to give him the chance to show what he can do, this filly is not the easiest of horse to get on with at home, she is hard work going on and coming off the gallops and Tom has done a lot of that work with her, but she stays well and seems to have improved as she has gone on, for sure she has plenty of character.'

Di Alta (left) takes the mile three furlong fillies handicap by three quarters of a length from Jive Talking (right).

10/1 shot Fast and Hot took the one mile two furlong handicap in fine style. Out of the yard of Richard Hannon and ridden by a young seventeen year old Irishman Rossa Ryan who is on a lot of knowledgeable lips as being a young lad to watch, the Fastnet Rock four year old took to the winners enclosure  again under the young apprentice.

The grey who looked all the winner two out was soon clear at the furlong pole, Ryan doing all with hand and heels to maintain a straight path for the grey now on four wins from twenty two starts.

Fast and Hot

'This fella has played a big part in my season so far, and it proves that he needs this soft ground. But he is a honest horse and gives all for you, it's all thanks to the owners and the boss (Richard Hannon) for giving me the chance.'

Only being at the Hannon yard since February the young pony racing graduate with seven winners to his name certainly seems appreciative to all that has helped him on his was. 'God willing we can get to double figures by the end of the season and go on from there.'

This horse seemed to relish track conditions and distance, a fourth at Goodwood on good ground shows the grey needs to dig his toe in. It would not surprise me to see this one picking up another at the Berkshire course in the early autumn, and would be sweet justice if it were to give the young jockey his tenth winner.

The grey who looked all the winner two out was soon clear at the furlong pole, Ryan doing all with hand and heels to maintain a straight path for the grey now on four wins from twenty two starts.

Next up was another qualifier for the Windsor sprint series, the final of which is held at the Berkshire course in August. British weather seasons not as predictable as in past years we could not predict soft ground, but if the horses can get their toe in the turf we may of seen a fancied runner for the final winning this qualifier. Atletico ridden by Andrea Atzeni, trained by Roger Varien ran on to take the race by two lengths from Wiley Post.

'Coming into that race everything has suited him, he wants that ground and the trip suits him. He has won that well and he would want a bigger race now to take him one step further.'

By Kodiak out of a pivotal mare this gelding certainly has the breeding, not a blistering time over the five furlongs, the speedsters already qualified though may need the ground a little firmer, but if softer in August this one would certainly turn my eye.

The jockey certainly feels this five year old has something sizable in him with that give in the ground.

Atletico ridden by Andrea Atzeni, trained by Roger Varien wins the Windsor Sprint qualifier

Al Mayda for Al Shaqab took the competitive older horse maiden, beating fifteen other in an impressive front running display, ridden out in the final furlong and holding off a late challenge from Atzeni and Varien with Fujaura Prince.

The Hugo Palmer trained three year old filly by Distorted Humor ridden by Harry Bentley looked impressive taking on from a start in what i felt was the most competitive race of the evening.

Al Mayda for Al Shaqab took the competitive older horse maiden.

'It wasn't the plan to take it on from the start, but she jumped out the stalls well so i though if someone wants to take it on fine she was happy were she was so i left her to it,' mentioned the jockey.

The filly with a few runs under her belt showed for that experience and stayed on well in the giving ground. The jockey with Goodwood around the corner and a good book of rides both can only see a positive few months ahead. With three runs all not out of the first four she may be one to note as the season draws on, the time, quick for the mile two furlong trip.

The Hugo Palmer trained three year old filly by Distorted Humor ridden by Harry Bentley looked impressive taking on from a start what i felt was the most competitive race of the evening.

A positive end to the evening as the eight runner mile handicap went to post.

7/4 shot Phillip Hide trained Dragons Voice gave a roar to the voice of the owners Heart of the South racing a syndicate that shows good support for both under rules and flat racing.

The trainer was reported to say before the race that the track going and trip suited this three year old by Poet's Voice to the tea, and though hanging right in the final furlong stayed on well for Richard Kingscote who mentioned,' I'm delighted for the owners who are having a bit of success with this one, it was good to get a winner out of this evening.' the jockey hot tailing back to the weighing room to get changed and on his way home.

The trainer ever modest about his winner said,' I'm delighted with him the way he finished his race off today and we would possibly consider towards the end of the season steeping up the trip to a mile quarter. But this evening with solid runs behind him i felt he had a very good chance.'

With six trips to the races, two wins and two places i feel this one could be one to watch on his progression.the trainer honest enough to say when he will win and the possible plan for him, we may have to wait until an ideal trip is found before taking this one too seriously.

Phillip Hide trained Dragons Voice gave a roar to the voice of the owners Heart of the South racing a syndicate that shows good support for both under rules and flat racing.

A couple of weeks break from Windsor Blogs at present, but be sure we will be back again. Also Fontwell Park Blogs will be starting again soon as the Sussex track prepares to come back after it's holidays.

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MONDAY EVENING SEVEN AT SUNNY WINDSOR WIMBLEDON

As the best of British were battling their socks off at Wimbledon, the best of Windsor was on offer to offer with seven races on good to firm ground, to an audience one eye on the likes on Konta and Murray, the other on the well attended fields entered on a beautiful summers evening.

Cat Silver 

The opener for the evening, a six furlong handicap apprentice race young Patrick Pilley bought home the 11/2 shot Cat Silver by a head from Atholblair Boy for his boss  Roger Charlton.
The four year old Dansili gelding not helping the nineteen year old by hanging towards the far rail only just held on to the lead to give the horse his first win from eight starts, the jockey his thirty ninth victory.

'He will certainly come on from that run, it's done his confidence some good, the drop in distance and the application of the cheek pieces has really helped.'
The horse possibly going through the sales ring towards the end of the week, looks if he is a promising sort that may give someone a few nice trips to the races.
'He has hung a bit when i have put him under pressure to be fair i have probably gone a little to soon on him, but he will certainly improve.' mentioned the South Oxfordshire bred rider who started his career at Mick Channon's yard before having a spell in Australia, coming back to start for his new boss in Marlborough at the beginning of the year.
Good to see a local apprentice riding well and one to keep an eye on in a bumper crop of young talent riding well at present.



A novice stakes over the six furlongs was taken by an improving two year old filly by Captain Gerard out of a Dark Angle mare. Peggy's Angle trained by Lambourn based Jo Hughes, ridden by Mitch Godwin took the race by a shortest of margins a  nose from favorite Well Suited and Harry Bentley.
' I have managed to get her switched off nicely in behind despite all the confusion at the start with a horse breaking the stalls, she was a little head strong but came back to me well. We have waited until the last minute to send her on, to be fair i could of waited a little longer and she still would of produced, but she is an improving and a nice sort.

 Peggy's Angle trained by Lambourn based Jo Hughes, ridden by Mitch Godwin 

In the winner enclosure she surly looked a sort that has plenty of growing left in her, the trainer mentioning ' most of our success has been with the two year olds, this filly her first run she was just trying to please too much in her race, today the task was to switch her off a little more and get her to learn her craft, she would possibly be a better three year old to be fair and she has still a lot of learning left to do, but she is a nice sort.'
Both trainer and jockey mentioned one word that stuck in my mind about this filly, professional. And i think a professional attitude to note this youngster should be taken as she continues her education, one to watch i feel.

'She would possibly be a better three year old to be fair and she has still a lot of learning left to do.'

A mile two furlong claiming race was taken by the front running  Kiruna Peak from the Mick Channon yard, ridden by Charles Bishop. The 11/4 shot making all took the race by a couple of lengths from the Richard Hannon three year old filly See the sea who did not get an easy passage during the race leaving the long striding winner to maintain the lead up to the line.
Not much to say really about the filly on her second win from eleven starts, representatives not at the track and the jockey rushing off after the race, so we could not get more of an insight into the horse.
I feel unfair to say she may not be the type to set eyes alight when entered, but after her win could come on. But i feel one just to watch at the present still, a few notes in the pot for the yard on thirty one wins so far for the season.

Kiruna Peak

The mile three furlong handicap was taken by the favorite at 3/1 from the Marcus Tregoning yard, Sir Titan with a fifty percent winning record from four outings was ridden out well in the final furlong to take the race by yet another small margin, a head from the Windsor racecourse favorite horse the twelve year old Shifting Star from the John Bridger yard.
Ridden by Steve Drowne who mentioned,

' He is a big raw sort of horse that will come on a lot from that run, I've got to the front a bit too soon, he is still very green to be fair despite his easy win at Wolverhampton and the close finish here tonight, but he will learn from that and will come on.'
The Aqlaam three year old certainly did not do himself any harm by the win, the handicapper hopefully not taking too much notice in the close finish, but a gelding to take note of as the progression continues.

Sir Titan

Amanda Perrett's Russian Reward trumped the one mile two furlong handicap, ridden by Jack Mitchell again making hard work of the final furlong push to beat favorite Marie Josephe by a head.
The jockey mentioned the five year old by Iffraaj is not the type to be crowded or bullied, and had the experience on the three year olds with only a handful of runs behind her.

The jockey mentioned the five year old by Iffraaj is not the type to be crowded or bullied

' He has had his own way in front on previous runs, but Mark and Amanda have their horses in fine form and today he has had to scrap it out a little.'
Now with five wins in twenty seven rides the jockey mentioned he has had a good couple of weeks.
This well breed five year old adding to the tally keeps the momentum going.
A popular win for the Perrett partnership, the work put into the industry over the years paying off.

Russian Reward

The final couple of races of the evening a maiden and a handicap both over the full Windsor distance of one mile three furlongs.
Goldophin took the maiden with the three year old Dubawi colt  Big Tour ridden by Martin Lane. Making most of the running the now one win from three colt stayed well the jockey mentioning,' the ground was a little too quick for him this evening, but he is a nice sort. He has been the most experienced of the runners tonight so everything has fallen in place for him, but i have mentioned we need to wait for more cut in the ground for him.'
A nice looking sort of horse with breeding and experience on his side is one certainly to note.

The final race of the evening the one mile three furlong handicap six runners to post, Ralph Beckett taking the race with his three year old filly Harebell by three quarters of a length from Ed Dunlops Amlad.
Pat Dobbs in the saddle mentioned,' she loves this fast ground, and was little too keen early on but the hood was off her today from her run at Docaster a few  days ago which has helped but certainly a filly on the up.'
The Haling filly only running three days previous certainly shows she has stamina, with positive noises coming from the latest run would be a nice filly to note.

More blogs from the summers Windsor meets can be seen at

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With more to come over the weeks

BEST OF BRITISH BERKSHIRE

Two days and one evening meeting gave a massive selection of racing to offer at Royal Windsor. The figure of eight tracks Best of British festival had to compete on it's opening day with mass meetings up and down the UK. Docaster, Newamarket to name a few giving the British racing public what they want, quality, and races with a good purse.
The royal county kept up its end of this extravaganza, a class two contest  with a £19'000 pot, and a  listed, £37000  to share out amongst the placings.

Grand Koonta 

To start off though a two year old novice stakes, ten going to post. Clive cox's Grand Koonta going off the 1/2 favorite and returning the three and a half length winner from Richard Hannon's Popsicle.
The trainer hot footing to the Newmarket meeting mentioned he really liked the  Dark Angle colt, ridden by Adam Kirby who also mentioned,'He is the perfect sized horse that has it all there with plenty of speed on his side, he is progressing in the right way that's for sure.'
One to keep an eye on as he progresses I feel. Three runs on good tracks and in fair positive company and not out of the first four, shows this colt could have a positive future ahead.

'He the perfect sized horse that has it all there with plenty of speed on his side, he is progressing in the right way that's for sure.'

The five furlong maiden saw Wantage based Henry Candy saddle African Friend  to take the race beating Indian Raj and denying Adam Kirby a quick brace by a head at the finish line.
Ridden by Fergus Sweeney who took the Equiano four year old on a strong challenge from a furlong out mentioned,'his work at home as always been very positive, but he has been plagued with some problems over the time which has kept him a little bit of an unknown quantity, the run will bring him on for sure and hopefully won't be too long before he can get a win in him again.'
The trainer when questioned on his lack of track attendance said; he wasn't right the first time he ran and has had a knee problem that has taken time to get right, so now he has  a lot of catching up to do, the win today is a good start though.'
A capable strong sort, and one to keep an eye on his progression now the maiden bubble has been burst.

Henry Candy saddle African Friend  to take the race beating Indian Raj 

With the ground riding just on the softer side of good, and with plenty of strong meetings up and down the country, only two went to post for the five furlongs conditions race, disappointing really for sponsors and racecourse a like.
On the card four were to go, one pulling out with a vets certificate in the morning, the other not favoring the unsuitable going.
Mark Johnston's Rebel assault and  Sylvester Kirk's Three little birds took the challenge on,the 1/3 favorite Rebel assault taking on an easy win from his only competitor taking the race well by seven lengths at the end.

Ridden by David Probert who mentioned, 'That was a bit of a routine gallop for him really and he may go for a listed race at Sandown  at the end of the week, but he is an improving sort.'
The Excelebration two year old filly on her fourth run with two wins, an impressive eight length win in more sublime company at Catterick in May, will have a little more of a test in more positive company, but for sure the form is with this filly who as mentioned by the jockey has plenty of speed on her side.

A few more runners for the good sized Windsor faithful attending the Saturday afternoon racing in the next. A class two one mile three furlong handicap saw nine runner to post, top weight What about Carlo off the 11/4 favorite from the well in form yard of Oxfordshire based trained Eve Johnson Houghton could only finish a neck second thought to 11/4 King Bolete from Roger Varian's yard.
The five year old on fifteen runs, five being in the winner circle made all and quickened well under Jack Mitchell from two out.

King Bolete

The gelding which is named after an edible mushroom as I was told, was not the only winner from the Newmarket yard in the afternoon. The pairing of Varian and Mitchell had a profitable afternoon as  Morando took the Listed Midsummer Stakes over the Windsor mile beating again the favorite Stormy Antarctic by a short head.

Morando

The jockey having to quickly hot foot a trip to Lingfield for a number of rides at the evening meeting and the trainer not in attendance but at the Newmarket July meeting, no one could give me an insight into the brace of winners, only to say both beating the favorites and both winning with a short margin had given at least the bookies something to cheer about as up to know it had been favorite backers that had been raiding the bookmakers purses, the tide turning as the meeting continued.

The five year old on fifteen runs, five being in the winner circle mad all and quickened well under Jack Mitchell from two out.

Morando took the Listed Midsummer Stakes over the Windsor mile beating again the favorite Stormy Antarctic by a short head.

A  6/1 shot took the penultimate race of the afternoon a mile fillies handicap in the shape of the Ed Walker trained Sayem ridden by Jamie Spencer. The three year old on her sixth outing notched up her second trip to the winners enclosure by taking the race by half a length from Snow Squaw. The jockey mentioned that the trip and the going suited this Sayif filly and he praised her for being very strong in the finish.

Her first time over the mile seemed to settle in well for the horse having experimented at six to seven furlongs now seems to have found her mark and could be one to watch over the extended distance.

Sayem

The final race of the afternoon a six furlongs apprentice handicap saw five runners to post, and kept  backers of the favorites happy as 2/1 shot Captain Bob from the Newmarket based Robert Cowell's yard came home the three quarter of a length winner under the steerage of seven pound claimer Jonathan Fisher. who only the day before celebrated his twenty fourth birthday.

 Captain Bob  and seven pound claimer Jonathan Fisher.

The jockey mentioned, 'he is a marvelous horse to ride, since my move  to Mr Cowell's in September I have increased my amount of winners to three, two of them being on this fella. It's an honor to ride him and these races suit him so well hopefully we can claim a few more.'

 A tall lad,but assure me that he can do the weight of 8 st 4 lbs, doing a few pounds lighter easy enough when needed.

Not needed today though at 9 st 12 lbs  saw the six year old make all easily,only to be pushed along to take the race from Black Caesar.

A horse I don't feel the young Fisher will forget in a hurry.

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ROYAL WINDSOR THE WEEKS AFTER ROYAL ASCOT 26 JUNE 2017

With the Royal Ascot meeting still very fresh in the mind of all, the Berkshire faithful wanting still to get out in the sun and sample the refinery of British flat racing in the Royal county.
Seven races for the evening meeting on the figure of eight course nestled by the Thames to offer, medium sized fields but good proper racing, good ground that allowed the participants to run full throttle, made for some good contests.
Two names that over the years have been  a surety to claim winners at the course over the years all with winners.
Richard Hannon with a brace of winners for the evening with Flying North in the 1 mile 2 furlong Handicap.

Flying North

And  Wefait in the 1 mile 3 furlong Handicap.

Wefait

Both at good odds the first off at 12-1 the second winner at 5-1. Both winning in close fought contests by a length.
National  Hunt National winning jockey Timmy Murphy riding Flying North mentioned.

'She is bred to stay so we have had to use her pace tactically, i manged to get a breather into her around the bend as i was in front, i knew i had the horse under me and she won well.'
The three year old by Ravens Pass out of a Cape Cross mare certainly has the pedigree to stay well, staying power needed at the Berkshire course, now with a win from seven starts this filly seems to be finding her mark, at 12/1 a price we may not get again, beating the other fancied hannon favorite Mouille Point three lengths back in third the jockey very positive on this strong looking filly.


5/1 shot Wefait ridden by Sean Levey seemed to hang left a little on taking the race a furlong out, the jockey mentioning.

'He has done this nicely tonight really, he has had a few runs early on in the season and i though always has been a progressive type, he hasn't been out of the first five in all of his runs and his hearts in the right place, he always seems to be trying which is a good thing.'
The three year old by Harbour Watch on his eighth run of the colts career, and a second winner for the jockey on the day, the other being on Sarah Hollinshead's Castlerea Tess at Chepstow.


Richard Hughes, a name connected with the Hannon's at Windsor Monday nights racing when riding, trained the winner of the last race of the evening a five furlong dash handicap.
Zavikon a three year old colt by Compton Place on his sixth run took the race well driven out by Sean Kelly to certify his favorite price ranking going off at 5/2.

Zavikon

Taking the nine runner field by half a length from Mick Channon's Lightoller, the colt was ridden off the pace that throughout the evening seemed sharp and took the centre ground two out to take the race on.
Connections and trainer thrilled with the win mentioned he had deserved his win, finally getting his nose in front. Not the biggest, yet no need to be for a sprinter, but looking all the part a coiled athlete in the winners enclosure and could be one to note from the Hughes string.

Taking the nine runner field by half a length from Mick Channon's Lightoller, the colt was ridden off the pace, that throughout the evening seemed sharp,and took the centre ground two out to take the race on.

The start of the meeting though started well enough for the bookmakers, Jamie Osborne's Boomerang Betty taking the two year old maiden under Dougie Costello at 22/1 in a six furlong sprint.
The Havana Gold debutante again ridden off a good pace was ridden patiently by the jockey who only produced the  filly in the final furlong to take the race by half a length from Marcus Tregoning's Exceedingly Diva.

Boomerang Betty (No12) takes the race by half a length from Marcus Tregoning's Exceedingly Diva (No14)

'She is a very honest filly,' mentioned the jockey. 'Jamie's horse are going well at the moment and he always trains them to improve off their opening run, but she is a honest short.'
The trainer mentioned she had been working well at home and was quietly hopeful coming to the races, despite the big price.
Pandemonium in the paddock before the race tough did nothing to upset the filly. Horses running loose and an accident to a stable lad in the saddling boxes saw the field well on their toes before the off.
This filly should be one to watch, the trainer pleased with her win and mentioning she had a good brain, with progression maybe one to note.

Boomerang Betty  under Dougie Costello

Current champion jockey Jim Crowley, with what he calls a good Royal Ascot without having winners, bought home Charlie Hills Plutonian in the Mile maiden.
Making all in the race the three year old colt by Ravens Pass was impressive in his ten length victory from Violet's lads off his third ever run.

The jockey mentioned,'he has one very well for sure but it wasn't the greatest of tests for him so time will tell, but he is a very nice sort.'
Talking to the trainer who said he liked the the  three year old and was a nice improving type.
One to watch I feel, not a great deal of chat about him other than what racegoers saw of his win. Just how good the race was it maybe important to note the placed horses on how their form progresses to gauge the true form of the son of Ravens Pass.

Jim Crowley on  Plutonian

Rod Millman trained the winner of the next a mile handicap, ridden by in form young jockey Oisin Murphy Sir Plato the 7/2 shot beat the 6/4 favorite in Rumpole from the Hughie Morrison yard by a short head in a stride for stride contest onto the line.
The three year old by Sir Prancealot on his fourth win from ten starts did enough to get the job done, the jockey commenting, 'This fella is small but gutsy for sure, four wins this year he is a nice horse to get on, the rest of the horses in the yard are well to.'
The jockey with a positive Royal Ascot, a win on Benbati in the Hampton court mentioned, 'I've come in for some stick for my across the line celebration that is for sure, I'm not sure what I was doing, I was lost in the moment for sure, Sheikh Fahad mentioned I need more practice.'

 Oisin Murphy Sir Plato the 7/2 shot beat the 6/4 favorite in Rumpole from the Hughie  Morrison yard by a short head in a stride for stride contest onto the line.

The feature race of the evening the six furlong sprint series qualifier was again taken by a short margin, and again another favorite beaten to the line.
Karl Burke's Parnassian ridden by Ben Curtis well under pressure in the final furlong ran on well to beat  Amanda Perrett's Open Wide by  three quarters of a length coming onto the line.
Three wins from nine runs the Elzaam three year old colt had come on well from his  five length second at Pontefract a few weeks back, the jockey mentioning.

 the three year old head back to Northern tracks to continue his progression, but the occasional dip into the south may see this one come in for the series finale in August to scoop the £75'000 prize.

'He is a very honest sort, once he got his head up there he ran on well, he dos'nt really need much pushing he is honest enough to go on for you. He was unlucky at Pontefract  the winner going on to win more races so the form has worked well,but he has come here and got the job done today.'
More like we may see this three year old head back to Northern tracks to continue his progression, but the occasional dip into the south may see this one come in for the series finale in August to scoop the £75'000 prize.

Parnassian ridden by Ben Curtis

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