5.15pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 24/04/2017

This is a handicap over 5f at Windsor, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: The handicapper has been kind to EXCELLENT GEORGE, raising him just 1lb for a decent second last time out and he remains on a workable mark. He can gain compensation here for the Stuart Williams yard although Dark Shot will make his life tougher now dropping down in grade on his seasonal reappearance. Stake Acclaim is of interest at a bigger price on what looks a fair handicap mark.

1 DARK SHOT – Fair to say there has been plenty of money around for him of late having been sent off favourite on his last six starts. He’s been raised 7lbs for a 1/2 length victory in a Class 3 handicap last September and he steps down in grade to make his seasonal return today. He’s a C&D winner and drawn in stall 3, he should be a tough nut to crack if race fit here. The yard have a 17% strike rate here.

2 STEPPER POINT – One of the most frustrating horses in training having continued to fall down the weights without winning. He was well-supported at Lingfield last month off 1lb lower but he could only manage fourth of a five-strong field and he continues to be hard to predict. He’s on a workable mark and stall 1 is perfect for him here but this all depends on what Stepper Point turns up today for a yard with a 9% strike rate here.

3 STAKE ACCLAIM – Finished behind Dark Shot at Ascot (8 1/4 lengths) and he’s not won since racing over C&D last April. He remains a pound higher than that mark but he had placed off a mark of 87 and this is an easier task than many of his assignments last year. It would be no surprise to see him get involved here for a yard that have a solid 14% strike rate at Windsor. Chances.

4 WASEEM FARIS – Thoroughly exposed sort making his 80th career start today. He slipped down the weights when he was with Joseph Tuite last season and makes his seasonal reappearance for his new stable today. He’s probably best watched here given he’s without a victory since October 2015 although he is a pound lower than when scoring that day. He has placed off higher marks and he should be capable in this grade.

5 EXCELLENT GEORGE – Extremely well-backed late on at Wolverhampton last month when just done on the line by a well-handicapped sort. The handicapper has been kind and has only raised him a pound for that effort which leaves him on a good mark now kept at 5 furlongs. This is slightly tougher than that contest and stall 7 isn’t perfect but Aaron Jones claims 3lbs and there could be strong support again.

6 BAHAMIAN HEIGHTS – Without a victory since June 2015 and he has slipped down another 2lbs following a below par run at Kempton last November. He’s got a slight temperament issue having refused to race back in October and he’s had plenty of chances in this grade already. He was last victorious in June 2015 and is probably best watched again until he convinces with his attitude.

7 KING OF SWING – His career record of one win from 17 starts is less than inspiring and that victory came in a maiden back in September of 2015. He placed over 7 furlongs off a mark of 80 last September but has since disappointed over shorter distances for the Richard Hughes stable. He’s dropped in trip again today and he’s likely to lack a bit of pace to keep up with some hardened sprinters in this.

8 SECRETFACT – Got the better of Dusty Blue in September who won a low grade handicap this winter. He returns off a 210-day break today off 6lbs higher which is a clear career high mark. He’s going to have to be at his absolute best to score in this grade and given it’s his first test in Class 4 company, he’s best watched for a stable out of form of late.

9 STORMFLOWER – Consistent performer for this stable having held a mark between 65 and 71 since July 2015. She scored off a mark of 66 on two occasions last season and off 3lbs higher, she makes limited appeal in this although she receives plenty of weight. Josephine Gordon is booked to ride which has a positive look but she’s another that will require a career best and others are preferred.