19:45 Windsor

Saturday 25 May 2024

All17:3518:0518:4019:1519:4520:1520:45

Sri Lanka Paradise Island Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 7.69s

(1)

Chasing Aphrodite^p1⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jack Enright⁽⁷⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 92

33/1

Proved better than ever on the back of a wind op when making a winning return at Ascot (1m) last term. Shaped as if amiss both starts thereafter but did at least offer something to work on after 6 months off when eighth of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton in March. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 38/100-8

(3)

Mysterious Love⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Kyle Strydom| T: D Menuisier| OR: 92

16/1

Won a Nottingham maiden (8.3f, heavy) 12 months ago and not disgraced faced with some stiff tasks thereafter. Never figured when last of 9 on return in listed race at Kempton (1m) 7 weeks ago and she looks to have work to do on handicap debut/back up in trip.

Form: 75798-0

(7)

Tony Montana¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Finley Marsh| T: M L W Bell| OR: 91| D

4/1

Fairly useful sort who posted a career best when winning 11-runner handicap at Chester (10.3f, good) 16 days ago, travelling fluently and asserting close home. Aided by a good position then but he should give another good account nudged up 4 lb.

Form: 14703-1

(10)

Tarjeeh²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ross Coakley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 90

9/2

Churchill colt who made light of a 15-month absence when making it 2 wins from 3 career starts in a Wolverhampton novice (9.5f) in October. Not seen since but he remains with untapped potential now handicapping and worth considering.

Form: 41/1-

(8)

Al Anoud²⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88| D

11/2

Kingman filly who made a winning debut at Chelmsford (10f) in August and despite looking green under pressure, got the hang of things to follow up under a penalty at Salisbury (9.9f) a month later. In excellent hands and she promises to do better again now handicapping. Shortlisted.

Form: 11-

(5)

Wisper²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 85| CD

12/1

C&D winner. Creditable second of 7 in handicap (9/2) at Brighton (9.9f, good) 25 days ago, unsuited by way race developed. Should give another good account up 1 lb.

Form: 35285-2

(2)

Lieber Power⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 84

18/1

Lightly raced son of Cracksman who possibly needed the run after 9 months off (also gelded) when eighth of 10 in handicap at Kempton (8f, 13/2) 54 days ago. Needs to build on that effort stepping back up in trip.

Form: 71/600-8

(6)

Island Star³³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 82| BF

9/2

Much improved for his current yard this season, landing 1m Kempton maiden last spring prior to a trio of in-the-frame efforts in handicaps at up to this trip on turf. Could have more to offer at this trip having been gelded ahead of return.

Form: 66/1333-

(9)

Fast Steps²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jack Gilligan| T: B R Millman| OR: 78| BF| CD

13/2

Won over C&D on last year's return. Returned in good heart, creditable third of 8 in handicap back over C&D (good to soft) 26 days ago. On a handy mark and entitled to go well again.

Form: 463-523

(4)

Morcar¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S Hitchcott| T: R Hannon| OR: 76| CD

11/1

C&D winner. Had wind op/gelded, returned from 8 months off with creditable third of 7 in handicap (4/1) at Lingfield (10f, good to firm) 14 days ago. Could sharpen up for that and he may be worth a try over further in due course.

Form: 41772-3

(11)

Warning Sign²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 73| D

40/1

Winless for present yard but ended last season with a trio of in-the-frame efforts. However, nearer last than first in pair of AW outings in recent months and others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 0232-00

Forecasts

Tony Montana (4/1), Island Star (9/2), Tarjeeh (9/2), Al Anoud (11/2), Fast Steps (13/2), Morcar (11/1), Wisper (12/1), Mysterious Love (16/1), Lieber Power (18/1), Chasing Aphrodite (33/1), Warning Sign (40/1)

TARJEEH clearly hasn't been the easiest to train but he evidently possesses plenty of ability, taking his career record to 2 wins from 3 starts when successful at Wolverhampton in October. Open to further progress now handicapping, he gets the vote to make light of another absence. Al Anoud is another likely improver on return/handicap debut and is feared, with Island Star and Tony Montana completing the shortlist.