7.40pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 05/06/2017

This competitive race has seen just one winning favourite in the last ten renewals, and a fast pace looks assured for this Class Three sprint. Read on for our betting tips and race preview.

IN SUMMARY: If the excellent DOUGAN (Each Way) can transfer his all-weather form to the turf at these weights then he will run a huge race and is quite clearly overpriced in the circumstances and well worth the risk. Spring Loaded may prove to be his biggest danger despite top weight and seems sure to run well as does Jordan Support who could be another surprise package.

1 SPRING LOADED – The early market leader for this particular sprint handicap and in the capable hands of Paul D’Arcy and with placed form in both races this season. Last time out the five-year-old finished a length and a half behind El Astronaute over a furlong shorter when running on strongly at the death. That was a Class Two at Chester so this represents a drop in class for the mount of Joey Haynes and he seems likely to be involved in the finish.

2 UPSTAGING – His winning run of three in a row at the end of last season came to an abrupt end on his return to action this season when ninth of thirteen at Goodwood but that was a better race than this and that was his first race of the season. Only beaten four and a half lengths at the line he was allowed to go off a 16/1 shot that day suggesting that he will improve considerably for the run, and with the Paul Cole yard in among the winners again recently, he may run a lot better than his early price suggests.

3 DOUGAN – Undoubtedly very well handicapped if he can transfer his all-weather form to the turf for trainer David Evans who is ticking over nicely with a  12% success rate and thirteen points of level stakes profit in the last two weeks. All six career wins and four places have been at Kempton, Wolverhampton, Lingfield, and more recently at Dundalk but the son of Dutch Art has run well at the likes of Newbury and Newmarket, and runs today off a rating of 94 having already won form ratings up to four pounds higher.

4 JORDAN SPORT – David Simcock continues in good form with three recent winners and this ex Richard Fahey gelding has already won this year at Lingfield in January before fishing fourth to Robot Boy at Wolverhampton running on over five furlongs. Poorly weighted today he carries nine pounds more than when last seen on the grass (at Newmarket last June), and in principle he ought to find this beyond him.

5 CHARLES MOLSON – Pat Cosgrave rides for Patrick Chamings here as the six-year-old looks for a fourth career win on his thirty-eighth start. Eight of his last nine starts have been over seven furlongs so his stamina is not an issue here and he will be running on late through beaten horses. He has won a better race over further off this rating so this is not beyond him but unless they go at a suicidal early pace he may find a few too quick for him here.

6 LITTLE PALAVER – Already a winner this season when taking a course and distance handicap here in late April, the Clive Cox trained son of Showcasing was put up four pounds for that and followed it with a third to  Normandy Barriere at Ascot when staying on at one pace close home. Adam Kirby rode that day but Hector Crouch takes over today claiming three pounds and that allowance gives him every reason to be challenging this afternoon if he gets a clear run when needed.

7 STAKE ACCLAIM – Dean Ivory has a decent reputation with the sprinters but the five year-old does seem better suited by five furlongs and has run well enough over that trip in cheekpieces recently. With the headgear removed and a step up in both trip and class he does look up against it here and at the prices, others appeal more in this particular contest.

8 ELJADDAAF – He does look to be the Dean Ivory second string with Jack Duern riding (as opposed to Robert Winston) but then again his pilot does take three pounds off his back today. A four length win at Kempton in January saw his rating put up a huge twelve pounds and although he has run well since with a third to Boomerang Bob, he looks in the grip of the handicapper for now and may need to come down a few pounds before threatening the places again back on the turf at least.

9 UDONTDODOU – Three wins from just the thirteen starts now for the Fastnet rock gelding who represents the shrewd Richard Guest yard and is well worth a market watch for any signs of serious support. He was never really seen with a chance in a hot contest at York last time out but was only four lengths off the winner and if Sean Levey doesn’t leave him with too much to do then expect him to finish on the scene as late as possible here if he gets the clear run he needs when he needs it.

10 SUMMER CHORUS – Andrew Balding has done very well with this four-year-old filly who may yet have more to offer as one of the youngest in the race. Four wins at Lingfield and Newmarket (two each) and another four places from just the eleven starts is a healthy return and included a short head victory at Newmarket when she was last seen in October. Jimmy Quinn rode her that day and said after the race that “Summer Chorus has run some big races all year. She’s a bit keen and needs plenty of cover ….and she finished off well. She’s only a small filly, but she’s got a big heart”, and although up an added two pounds now she will win again this season, though whether today is one of them is open to question.

11 PIXELEEN – Seventeen races without a win but a long list of places have left her handicap on the high side and she could do with a break from the handicapper but seems unlikely to get one. Last time out at Nottingham she was stepped up to Listed class and ran a really solid race when a length and a half fourth to Artistica over this trip at odds of 25/1 but that leaves her on the same mark though a big run is still more than likely and perhaps a place today.

12 ICE AGE – Joint bottom weight today for the Eve Johnson Houghton trained gelding and plenty of money has been seen in the early markets suggesting a huge run is on the cards. A solid second behind a resurgent Blaine last time out with the front three pulling well clear, he has finished outside the top three just once in his last nine starts. Off the same mark here, he’s clearly in fine form and while he has chances his odds reflect that and there is better value to be found elsewhere.