17:50 Windsor

Monday 23 April 2018

All16:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Horse Guards Gin Cup Handicap

Off time: 17:53 | Winning time: 58.99s

(5)

Leo Minor¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 83

8/1

War Front gelding formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien. Won Naas juvenile event in 2016. Dropped 12lb in rating since joining current yard and now on a feasible mark. Ran respectably latest on AW and shouldn't be far away back on turf.

Form: 03/06-83

(8)

Nautical Haven⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Winston| T: J & S Best| OR: 80

20/1

Landed York juvenile maiden in July 2016 for Kevin Ryan. for whom he was runner-up four times in succession this winter. Joined current yard last month and ran moderately on debut for new connections. Drop back in trip not sure to suit.

Form: 222887

(4)

Majestic Hero¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: R Harris| OR: 80| D

5/1

Has won on soft in past but seemed better on a sound surface in recent seasons. Has dropped signiifcantly in the weights since last success though and is on a fair mark as goes well fresh. Interesting.

Form: 753058-

(3)

Babyfact²³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M S Saunders| OR: 77| D

16/1

Won twice last season and goes on just about any ground. Near eight-month absence to overcome however and has tended to need a few runs to reach her peak, so others are preferred.

Form: 593316-

(1)

Rebecca Rocks³³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 76| D

5/2

Looked fair prospect last term after scoring at Goodwood last May on handicap bow but not seen since. 6lb higher now but fitness has to be taken on trust. If vibes are positive she could be the one to beat.

Form: 52/31-

(7)

Acclaim The Nation⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Fran Berry| T: E J Alston| OR: 74| D

3/1

Won Doncaster 5f handicap 12 months ago off 1lb lower mark but has raced only twice since. Shaped with promise on return at Wolverhampton in February and shouldn't be far away.

Form: 669/16-5

(2)

Kinglami^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 71| C| D

14/1

Won three times at Windsor over 6f but has also gone very close over this trip. Goes well with cut in the ground but hasn't shone on AW this winter. Return to turf a positive and has to be respected.

Form: 0-95360

(6)

Bellevarde¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: R J Price| OR: 67| D

9/2

Beat Kinglami by a head at Chepstow last year but is now 14lb worse off with that rival. Went close at Southwell AW last time though after a lay-off and not out of it despite swing at the the weights.

Form: 22127-2

Forecasts

Rebecca Rocks (5/2), Acclaim The Nation (3/1), Bellevarde (9/2), Majestic Hero (5/1), Leo Minor (8/1), Kinglami (14/1), Babyfact (16/1), Nautical Haven (20/1)

This is a wide open sprint handicap with most of the runners having some claims. MAJESTIC HERO is a marginal choice as he goes well first time out and is on a feasible mark. Kinglami will appreciate the return to turf and shouldn't be far away, nor should top weight Leo Minor who has been given a chance by the handicapper. Rebecca Rocks is unexposed and the market may prove a good indicator to her chance, while Acclaim The Nation and Bellevarde aren't ruled out either.