19:45 Windsor

Monday 4 June 2018

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

Gallagher Group Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 27.59s

(1)

Carry Me Home²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Hills| OR: 80

25/1

Off the track for 18 months between September 2016 and April 2018, and yet to show he's near back to his best (1m4f winner off a 2lb higher mark in August 2016), but better than the bare finishing distances latest.

Form: 2314/09

(2)

What A Welcome¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Joey Haynes| T: P R Chamings| OR: 80

6/4

Blossomed in handicap company (now 4 from 4) with his latest gains coming on turf at Newbury and Sandown (1m2f). 8lb above his last winning mark and 17lb above his starting mark, but holds every chance over a trip he patently stays.

Form: 0511-11

(3)

Chance To Dream³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: J R Best| OR: 79| C

7/2

His career Windsor form figures read 5,1,1, so he clearly appreciates the Thames air. Raised 4lb for his most recent course success in April beating Zzoro by ½L (1m2f), and stamina to conclusively prove over a new trip.

Form: 184-251

(4)

Genetics¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 76

8/1

Not won since his juvenile days, in a 1m Newbury maiden in August 2016 (good to firm) and far from certain he'll stay this trip; albeit his dam was a sister to the 1m4f Listed winner Bonne Gargotte.

Form: 9/895-36

(5)

Zamperini²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: M Murphy| OR: 76

14/1

Off the track since early November, with the handicapper just about having his measure towards the back-end of the previous campaign as demonstrated by a frustrating run of second placed efforts. All previous winning form with cut in the ground.

Form: 742228-

(6)

The Otmoor Poet^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: A M Hales| OR: 73

12/1

Has mixed hurdling with Flat racing without success so far (0 from 16). No chance behind Elgin on his seasonal return at Chelmsford, but was beaten a short-head over this C&D in May 2017 (joined on the line).

Form: 48/205-3

(10)

Ravenous¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: L A Dace| OR: 68| C

16/1

The 1m6f Colwick Cup at Nottingham in August is most likely his seasonal objective (winner in 2016, third in 2017), but didn't show up too badly at Newbury last month (1m4f). Dropped 2lb since and is a past C&D winner so could run well.

Form: 025667

(7)

Planetoid³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-9| J: J F Egan| T: J & S Best| OR: 68| D

100/1

Nowhere near the force of old and is in free-fall in the weights. Effective anywhere between 1m3f to 2m, but was pulled up lame on his last start at Chelmsford, so well-being can only be taken on trust.

Form: 200/69P

(9)

Nazzaa²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: S Flook| OR: 68

7/1

Lightly raced after just six career starts (1m2f Nottingham winner in August 2017). Ran respectably enough on his seasonal return last month (fourth) and could strip fitter here from a 1lb lower mark. Ground fine, trip a slight unknown.

Form: 78917-4

(8)

Tiar Na Nog³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: D J Coakley| OR: 64

16/1

Remains a maiden after nine starts, but continues to run to a similar level of form (1m4f-2m) without progressing quite enough in order to break her duck. Should find a race eventually, but not for tonight.

Form: 383-834

Forecasts

What A Welcome (6/4), Chance To Dream (7/2), Nazzaa (7/1), Genetics (8/1), The Otmoor Poet (12/1), Zamperini (14/1), Tiar Na Nog (16/1), Ravenous (16/1), Carry Me Home (25/1), Planetoid (100/1)

One can so often look past the immediately obvious and with WHAT A WELCOME raised another 8lb for his latest Sandown success, there is the temptation to do so tonight. However, we should refrain from such thinking as there's every chance that he'll take the winning sequence further in a race which isn't quite as competitive as could be expected for the grade. Clear dangers to the selection include Nazzaa and Chance To Dream, but their stamina reserves are up for discussion, so the past C&D winner and proven stayer Ravenous could be the most sensible forecast play.