19:15 Windsor

Monday 4 June 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Sky Bet Top Price Promise Handicap (Windsor Sprint Series Qualifier)

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 1m 13.25s

(9)

Silent Echo²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 96| CD

7/2

No match for the exciting Dreamfield at Ascot early last month (6f good to firm), but produced late to score in a decisive manner over C&D latest; up 5lb, but that's not insurmountable and very much progressing for this trainer.

Form: 42-6521

(2)

Miracle of Medinah²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 95| D

5/1

Raised 1lb since his fine reappearance third at Ascot in early May (Silent Echo second) and certain to appreciate the sound underfoot conditions, but hasn't actually won on turf since September 2013.

Form: 40710-3

(1)

Holmeswood¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 94| D

9/2

Enjoyed a productive season in 2017, winning three on the bounce mid-summer (all over 5f). Seemingly too high in the weights as a result stepping back up in trip to 6f; does stay.

Form: 1114-99

(3)

Outback Traveller^p¹⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 93| D

14/1

Enjoyed his day in the limelight when winning the 2016 Wokingham at Royal Ascot from a 7lb higher mark (100). Therefore, perhaps unsurprising that he's struggled since, but back to a more suitable level if the winter break has freshened him up.

Form: 000508-

(4)

Louie de Palma²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 92| CD

3/1

Impressed as a juvenile when winning two of three starts in 2014, but well held in the Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f) on his belated return last month and hard to instil confidence there'll be a big improvement.

Form: 112/0

(6)

Son Of Africa³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 91| BF| CD

8/1

Versatile trip wise (5f-6f), and was a C&D winner in debut as a juvenile in June 2014 (not run here since). Staying on from off the pace on seasonal return at Goodwood in early May (5f good to soft) and should improve.

Form: 7/7583-4

(11)

Volatile⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 89| BF| D

14/1

Thrived on the AW since leaving James Tate for 32,000 gns in October 2017 (three-time 6f-7f winner). Still unexposed on turf, and not too much to find with Silent Echo/Miracle of Medinah on Ascot form in early May (6f).

Form: 111445

(7)

Syrian Pearl²⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: S W Kelly| T: C F Wall| OR: 84| D

50/1

Starts the new season from a 5lb higher mark courtesy of her fast finishing ½L Nottingham victory in early October (good to soft). Versatile in terms of ground conditions, but in the ruck on her last visit here in 2016 (this race).

Form: 766541-

(10)

Mullionheir²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: J R Best| OR: 80| CD

20/1

Some very moderate efforts in the main over the past year but there's a win at Ascot (6f, soft ground) in the middle of it all to offer some hope. Risky, with conditions not ideal (quick), but did win over C&D in June 2015.

Form: 09991-8

(8)

Red Alert¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: L Morris| T: A W Carroll| OR: 76| D

25/1

Won for various trainers during 2017 (5f-6f), and has emerged with credit on both turf starts this season edged out on the line by Coverham at Newmarket latest (6f good to firm); up 1lb but should run well despite the hike in grade.

Form: 381-663

Non-Runners

(5)

Reflektor²⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Tom Dascombe J: R Kingscote

Forecasts

Louie de Palma (3/1), Silent Echo (7/2), Holmeswood (9/2), Miracle of Medinah (5/1), Reflektor (6/1), Son Of Africa (8/1), Volatile (14/1), Outback Traveller (14/1), Mullionheir (20/1), Red Alert (25/1), Syrian Pearl (50/1)

The Montfort Handicap at Ascot in early May holds plenty of clues with SILENT ECHO (second), Miracle Of Medinah (third) and Volatile (fourth) all recommencing battle on similar fast underfoot conditions. The selection is a C&D winner since, so has more to do off a 5lb higher mark, but there's every likelihood that he'll continue to improve (for the time being at least), with previous trainer Roger Charlton perhaps now regretting moving him on for 120,000 gns in October 2017.