20:00 Windsor

Monday 17 June 2024

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Fitzdares June Handicap

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 1m 39.09s

(5)

Diderot^h⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 87| D

15/2

Latest win at Chelmsford City in December. Respectable sixth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f, 50/1) 80 days ago. Back down in trip and plenty to prove back on turf (no show 4 previous starts on grass).

Form: 091-356

(7)

Excel Power^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 87| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Eight wins from 31 Flat runs. Eleven runs since last win in 2022. 40/1, eighth of 9 in handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, good) 15 days ago. Chance on old form but he clearly has a bit to prove right now.

Form: 352-078

(4)

Composite^b1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 85

11/1

Latest win at Kempton in January. 10/3, fifth of 8 in handicap at Lingfield (12f, AW) 7 days ago. Significantly down in trip and blinkers on 1st time. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 31-1675

(3)

Metabolt¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 85| CD

6/4

C&D winner. Career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Leicester (7f, good to soft, 3/1) 13 days ago. 3 lb rise fair enough and he merits serious consideration.

Form: 0636-41

(1)

Hieronymus^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: George Baker| OR: 83| D

15/2

Latest win at Kempton in February. 18/1, eighth of 12 in handicap at Goodwood (7f, good) 24 days ago. Will need a couple of these to falter if he's to get his head in front.

Form: 410308

(8)

Nap Hand^h²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ross Coakley| T: A King| OR: 80

10/1

18/1, good fifth of 12 in handicap at Kempton (8f) 26 days ago, left poorly placed. That was an encouraging effort, particularly given that he was returning from an 18-month absence. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 14522/5

(6)

High Spirited^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 77| CD

4/1

Unreliable type. C&D winner. 5/1, creditable third of 7 in handicap at this course (10f, good to firm) 14 days ago, missing break. Cheekpieces on 1st time and shouldn't be too far away.

Form: 7480-03

(2)

Thapa VC^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: M G Rimell| OR: 73

22/1

Latest win at Kempton in May. 14/1, seventh of 10 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 26 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 255617

Forecasts

Metabolt (6/4), High Spirited (4/1), Diderot (15/2), Hieronymus (15/2), Nap Hand (10/1), Composite (11/1), Excel Power (16/1), Thapa VC (22/1)

The vote goes to NAP HAND, who proved that plenty of the ability he showed in 2022 remains intact when putting in good late work to finish fifth in a 12-runner Kempton handicap last month. The 4-y-o was returning from a year-and-a-half off that day, so he's entitled to take a step forward here. Metabolt is an obvious threat having hit the target at Leicester recently, while High Spirited, though not the most reliable of types, is also accorded respect.