7.20pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 17/07/2017

This is a Class 3 handicap raced over 5f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There are a few in this with questions to answer so this is DARK SHOT’S race to lose. He was ever so unlucky to miss out on victory in the Epsom Dash and he still has plenty to offer in this grade and back at the minimum trip and he should come out on top here. Super Julius is the obvious danger to him having found renewed life since the application of cheekpieces although he faces another 3lb rise in the weights today.

1 LIGHTSCAMERACTION (Non-runner) – Has been dropped 3lbs in the weights following a comfortable defeat in a Chester handicap and David Egan is booked today to claim a useful 5lbs off his back which leaves him well-below his last winning mark (106). However, he has only won once in 13 starts on the turf and all four of his career successes have come at Lingfield so the stats don’t entice confidence about him here. He’s weighted to score but he isn’t the easiest to win with.

2 SPRING LOADED – Another sort that’s far better on the All-Weather than the turf having won just one of his 29 career starts on the turf. He’s 3lbs lower for a 7 1/2 length defeat in a Newmarket sprint last time out and whilst this is easier, he’s never won at any other distance than 6 furlongs so the drop in trip is a major concern. He’s on a fair mark but conditions look against him in this.

3 STEPPER POINT – Finally ended a long losing run over C&D back in April and he’s since gone in again at Chelmsford. This grade looks right for him now although he remains on a mark of 92 following a heavy defeat at Ascot on Saturday and this is a quick turnaround off a high enough weight. This is certainly easier than that assignment and conditions will suit although there are doubts about him following that run at the weekend.

4 DARK SHOT – Has shown some progressive form this season and he was unlucky not to win the Epsom Dash having been checked in his run. He remains on a mark of 90 which looks fair and he’s dropped back down to the minimum trip today which is a positive move, especially if he’s given a more prominent ride. He is capable in this grade but two wins from 18 career starts suggests he struggles to take full advantage at times.

5 MAJESTIC HERO – 2lbs higher than his last winning mark which came at Epsom in April. That followed an excellent second to El Astronaute at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance although he’s gone off the boil more recently with some below par performances. The drop down in grade should see him do better and Adam Kirby is a good booking so there are reasons to believe a more positive showing is on the cards today.

6 LOVE ON THE ROCKS – Charlie Hills’ filly remains relatively lightly-raced for a 4yo although she has something to prove in this tougher grade. She won a Class 4 Bath handicap back in April and she has struggled in two more competitive handicaps since. William Buick is a positive booking today and a one pound drop in the weights is welcome although she clearly wants lightning-quick ground which she is unlikely to get today.

7 SUPER JULIUS – Has shown some renewed form since the application of cheekpieces which has seen him win his last two races. He’s up another 3lbs in the weights today and he steps significantly up in grade so things will be much tougher for him here although he’s clearly improving at present and he would be dangerous to rule out. The market may guide best as to his chances in this.

8 MUSICAL COMEDY – Mike Murphy’s runner chases his first success since May 2014 although he is now a full 30lbs lower than that mark. He’s obviously regressive and he failed to show any improvement him over longer trips either so he looks set to decline further in the handicap. He has failed to take his chance in two weaker races than this recently and he should find a few too good again today.