7.30pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 15/08/2016

A valuable prize is on offer as the Windsor Sprint Series reaches its climax on Monday. Read our horse-by-horse race preview for out experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY:  This finale of the Windsor Sprint Series is worth over £48,000 to the winner and the prize might go to RIO RONALDO, who seems to be making steady progress and is sure to be suited by today’s return to 6f after a very respectable 5f run last time. The class act in the field is Clear Spring, who has to concede a stone or more to his 13 rivals. He might be up to the task but may need slower ground to be seen at his very best. Goring was evidently suited by the drop to 6f when winning here a fortnight ago and remains unexposed as a sprinter. Pretty Bubbles created a very good visual impression when winning comfortably here last month but he’s been hiked up the weights and it might be wise to treat that form with a degree of caution.

1 Clear Spring – Would make slightly more appeal on slower ground but landed a good prize at Newbury (6f, good to soft) in May and met traffic when fourth over C&D (soft) on latest outing in June; today’s race is more valuable but the opposition is weaker; expected to play a leading role.

2 Rio Ronaldo – Scored over C&D (good to firm) in May and probably bettered that performance when second back here the following month; predictably found 5f slightly too sharp on latest outing but certainly didn’t run badly that day and might still be improving; commands respect.

3 Flowers On Venus – Yet to add to his AW maiden win but still has fairly low mileage and ran a big race when close third at Ascot (6f, good to firm) last month; disappointed when fitted with a visor (now removed) last time but the Ascot form brings him into the equation.

4 Rosie’s Premiere – Been quite consistent this year and shaped as though ready for today’s return to 6f when a strong-finishing second at Chepstow (5f, good to firm) last month; won off today’s mark last summer and enters calculations.

5 Free Zone – Won twice on good to soft ground for David O’Meara last month and also ran well when close second to Goring over C&D (good) on debut for Jamie Osborne a fortnight ago; evidently in good nick but combination of recent 2lb rise and today’s fast ground might just leave him vulnerable.

6 Pretty Bubbles – Spent most of his career racing over longer trips but has won two sprints this year and created a good impression when getting the job done very comfortably over C&D (good to firm) last month; might have been flattered by the way that panned out, though, and the handicapper has responded with a 7lb rise.

7 Goring – Much better known for his exploits over 7f/1m but the drop back to today’s trip paid dividends when he came from off the pace to reel in Free Zone over C&D a fortnight ago; could have more to offer as a sprinter and ought to get a good tow into this race too.

8 Sydney Ruffdiamond – Came good for Richard Hughes when one of only two to race on the far side at Chepstow (6f, good to firm) last month; subsequent 5lb rise demands a new career-best performance and he was disappointing over 5f on latest outing; needs first-time blinkers to have positive effect.

9 Cool Bahamian – Suited by the strong pace when gaining come-from-behind success at Lingfield (6f, good) in June but has finished well down the field on both subsequent outings and has a rather patchy overall record; current mark probably not beyond him but others make more appeal.

10 Stellarta – C&D winner last summer and excelled himself when placed at 50-1 in the Stewards’ Cup consolation race at Glorious Goodwood (6f, good to firm) last month; 1lb lower here but needs a very strong pace to be seen to best effect and usually finds the winning line coming too soon.

11 Black Bess – Has struck form and made very good progress in recent months, winning three times (once over C&D); suffered a setback when soundly beaten at Ascot last time and, although it’s quite possible she can bounce back from that, she seems best with some ease underfoot.

12 Foxtrot Knight – Qualified for this event when very close second here (5f, good to firm) in June and bettered that form when beaten only by a nose at Ripon (6f, good) a fortnight ago; has found things tough off this sort of mark before but no surprise if he gives another good account.

13 Young John – Made virtually all to win six-runner event over C&D (soft) in June but that form is not strong for the grade and he finished last of 18 when back on a sound surface at Ascot last month.

14 Ice Age – Opened account on turf when driven out to score over C&D (good to firm) last month and subsequent third at Chepstow (6f, good to firm) was also a good performance, but he competes from 4lb out of that handicap today and, consequently, faces a tough assignment.

myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Rio Ronaldo, 7/1 Rosie’s Premiere, 8/1 Clear Spring, Flowers On Venus, Goring, Stellarta, 10/1 Free Zone, Pretty Bubbles, Foxtrot Knight, 16/1 Young John, Ice Age, 20/1 Sydney Ruffdiamond, Black Bess, 25/1 Cool Bahamian