7.45pm Windsor Tips & Betting Preview 24/07/2017

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

IN SUMMARY: The drop back in trip for PETTOCHSIDE can see him get back to winning ways today. John Bridger’s runner ran well in less than ideal conditions last time out and the return to softer ground can see him win today off a one pound lower mark. Secondo can follow him home following a pleasing return to action last time out and it looks significant that Fran Berry remains in the saddle today.

1 MAJESTIC HERO – Arrives here on the back of a fair effort over C&D on much faster ground than today’s. He was beaten 2 1/2 lengths that day and whilst he is evidently in the right grade, he’s going to have to find improvement to win this off top-weight. Adam Kirby remains in the saddle which is a positive but the yard have sent out just one winner from their last 13 runners.

2 UNION ROSE – Second runner in this for Ron Harris and this runner comes here in good form with a decent victory last time out. He won a Class 4 Bath handicap by 2 lengths off a 6lb lower mark and whilst he faces a tougher task today, he has been competitive in better races than this in the not too distant past. Fran Berry gets off him today to ride Secondo which is a negative although he still deserves respect in this.

3 ATLETICO – Lightly-raced 5yo making just his 8th career start today. He’s dropped in trip for the first time having raced exclusively over 6 furlongs which could bring about improvement off a one pound lower mark so there are reasons to be positive. The ground shouldn’t be a problem having shown form on Good to Soft on racecourse debut and it would be no surprise to see strong market support again today.

4 SECONDO – Joseph Tuite’s runner takes an interesting step down in trip today having raced over no shorter than 6 furlongs in 18 career starts. He makes just his second start for the yard today and he’s entitled to improve for his stable debut and his first run off a long break. He was 66/1 last time out which is a slight negative but Fran Berry retains the ride and there looks to be more to come from him. His two flat turf wins both came on Good to Firm ground which is a negative in this.

5 MOONRAKER – 2 wins from 27 career starts doesn’t read particularly well, especially given the last of those victories came in 2015. However, Mick Channon’s runner evidently has ability and he’s 2lbs lower today following a poor performance at Ascot last time out. There was money about for him that day but he was never going as well as his rivals so it’s no surprise that connections reach for the headgear today. The drop back in trip to 5 furlongs could be a positive but he comes with strings attached.

6 PETTOCHSIDE – Finished 3/4 of a length ahead of the staying-on Intibaah when the pair met at Salisbury at the end of June but he couldn’t follow that effort up off a 5lb higher mark next time out. He’s down a pound today and this contest looks slightly weaker so there are reasons to believe a bounce back to winning ways is possible. The drop back to 5 furlongs looks positive and he should be thereabouts with a useful claimer aboard.

7 INTIBAAH – Was last seen racing in France just 2 days ago and he ran well enough to finish sixth in a 15-strong field. He races off a mark of 79 today and he should be able to get closer to Pettochside today although he’s terribly inconsistent and isn’t guaranteed to run to form in this. His last success came over 6 furlongs in France in 2015 and there’s a nagging doubt that this trip is too short for him now.

8 THE BIG LAD – Richard Hughes’ yard hasn’t been firing on all cylinders of late, sending out just two winners from their last 34 runners. However, that record could be bettered here based on the consistent form their runner has shown of late. He remains on a mark of 78 following a fair effort in a fast ground Class 4 handicap last time out and whilst he steps up in grade today, remains on a fair mark. Nicola Currie gets on well with him and reinstates their partnership today.

9 SANDFRANKSKIPSGO – Peter Crates’ runner makes his 63rd career start today and needs more to get his head in-front in this. He has run to a fair level this season and he’s down another pound today which can only be positive although he’s hiding absolutely nothing from the handicapper and he could well bump into a few improving sorts in this. The step back to 5f is positive but he’s dangerous for win purposes.

10 WILEY POST – Tony Carroll’s 4yo makes his third start for the yard today and he showed clear improvement last time out to finish third in a 5-strong field. He showed he handled this ground that day although his two successes have come on Good or better ground so far. He’s down 2lbs today which is an obvious positive and he could be lingering on an attractive mark so he’s worth close attention in the betting.