6.40pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 31/07/2017

This is a Class 4 handicap raced over 1m 2f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: The ground will play a significant role in this and FAST AND HOT can come out on top. Richard Hannon’s filly is improving at present and whilst she carries a 6lb penalty today, she will relish this Soft ground and she can complete the double. Western Duke can follow her home although he may need this run following a gelding operation.

1 FAST AND HOT – Made an excellent impression over C&D last week on similar ground to this. She was driven clear of her rivals last time out to score by a convincing 2 1/4 length margin and she’s turned out quickly under a penalty today. She is wrong at the weights with her younger rivals but she’s improving and she will go in this ground which may be half of the battle. Respected today for a yard with a decent 14% strike rate at present from 94 runners in the past fortnight.

2 WESTERN DUKE – First run following a gelding operation today reported to have taken place in May. He’s been given enough time off the track since then although horses generally need their first run off such an operation. However, he does have some fair form to his name including a 3/4 length defeat to the useful Permian last season. He put in a good effort off a 3lb lower mark over C&D back in May and he’s worth close attention in the betting with more to come.

3 APRES MIDI – Has shown a fraction of her ability on her last two starts, finishing a well-beaten last on both occasions. The ground can’t have been an excuse on either of those runs having won on Good to Firm although she has proven she also likes a bit of cut in the ground. She’s down another 2lbs today and Harry Bentley is a positive booking (24% strike rate in the past fortnight) so the betting may prove insightful once again.

4 GLORIOUS FOREVER – Beat the useful Jewel House over a mile at Windsor last season and he’s been hit and miss so far this season. He was only beaten a 3/4 lengths by Eldritch over 1m 2f back in April although he hasn’t followed that up over this trip and he was a disappointing fourth last time out having been sent off the 6/4 favourite. A visor is applied for the first time today off the same mark and he has something to prove in this.

5 X RATED – Couldn’t follow up a decent success at Bath earlier this month when fifth of a 6-strong field at Hamilton. He remains on the same mark today which gives him something to prove, especially given he is completely unproven on this ground. He looks high enough in the weights today although Andrea Atzeni is an obvious positive in the saddle and he can’t be ruled out in this tricky 5-runner affair. The ground is a serious concern though.