If the horse racing punting goes badly at Windsor this week, you can always go and get a fake smile painted on your face for free. It’s Bank Holiday Family Fun Day at Windsor Racecourse this Monday and aside from all the usual thrilling on-course equine action, there’s entertainment and attractions galore for all the family.
A circus workshop, roaming performances, funfair rides and stalls, face painting, a Shetland Grand National race (approx. 13:00 – an hour before the 1st race) and special ice-cream packages (yum !!) and lots, lots more. For those horse racing enthusiasts focused on the equine fun, the action gets underway earlier than usual for a Monday. The stalls spring open for the first of eight (nine if you include the 18:30 Arab event) races at 14:00.
Windsor Races – Monday April 29th Review
Richard Kingscote broke his winning duck at Windsor for the year, at the 10th time of asking, aboard Tony Carroll’s Hearitfortheboys in the opener last Monday. The 2022 Derby winning jockey may have been jumping for joy, but favourite backers weren’t, as the 3/1 jolly Dark Dreamer, was beaten into second by a neck. However, the blueing skies and the sun’s rays would help to soften their annoyance. With the weather improving, the official going would shift from ‘soft’ to ‘good to soft’ after the first race and remained as such for the remainder of the card.
Despite being on the strong 2/5 favourite in race 2, Clive Cox’s Nemov, Richard Kingscote wasn’t able to double-up. The Cheveley Park 3-year-old had a poor start and ran very green, eventually finishing 7 or 8 lengths adrift back in 4th. It would be James Tate’s The Amazon who would lose his maiden tag, storming clear to record an impressive 4 lengths success.
The Gosdens Grab A Quickfire Double
Another race, another odds-on shot, another beaten odd-on shot. Wafei would go off the 4/7 favourite for race 3, the second maiden contest of the evening. Willie Haggas’ 3-year-old needed reminders from James Doyle a distance out, and despite some headway a couple of furlongs out, never looked like challenging for honours. John & Thady Gosden’s Lyric took up the lead 4 furlongs from home and the son of Too Darn Hot responded well to encouragement from Robert Havlin a furlong out to record a victory on his first turf outing.
The Gosden gang would be beaming again shortly after, as another 3-year-old colt of theirs, Fighter Command, also got off the mark for the first time. Robert Havlin took control from the front early once again and was able to hold off a concerted effort from Neil Callan aboard Liam Swagger. He was also the first winning favourite on the card (8/11) so received a warm reception from some grateful punters.
We had a right ding-dong battle up front in the Gilbey’s Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse, Eton Handicap, the 5th race on the card, between Jane Chapple-Hyam’s First Officer and Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain. Chapple-Hyam’s apprentice jockey, Sorin Moldoveanu, would show his blossoming skills in the saddle helping First Officer battle back to clinch a 1 1/4 length success in the end.
Favourite Backers Finish With A Flourish
Pat Phelan’s Naasma (a 25/1 shot) would produce the biggest shock of the evening, when claiming race 6, a handicap for 3-year-olds plus, over Windsor’s maximum trip of 1 mile 3 1/2 furlongs. Paddy Bradley had to graft hard on top to keep the 5-year-old’s nose in front though, as Allonsy, the 2/1 favourite, finished with a rattle and would have probably got home if not for a sluggish start. Naasma’s performance wasn’t a total shock for all, the Churchill mare had finished second over a 1 mile 2 furlong contest at Windsor last summer, when the 3/1 jolly.
The ladies continued to sparkle, as following Naasma’s victory, Richard Hannon’s 3-year-old filly Hatadora would go one better than last week at Windsor, clinching the penultimate race on the card. Kevin Stott took the ride once again and despite dropping the reins briefly, the 7/4 favourite always looked the winner, though Rod Millman’s Calm Waters was a very close second on the line.
It would prove to be a lucky last for favourite backers too, as Mike Murphy & Michael Keady maintained their positive start to the season at Windsor. Their 5-year-old Antiphon, continued his love affair with the Berkshire track, clinching a narrow victory over Mary Of Modena. The son of Kodiac ran six times at Windsor in 2023 and only finished unplaced on one occasion.
Windsor Races – What’s Still To Come In 2024
Some of the remaining highlights this year are as follows:
June
3rd – 80s Retro Explosion
10th – Irish Night
17th – Summer Garden Party
29th – Ladies Day
December
15th – The Return of NH Racing
Windsor Races – Monday May 6th Preview
Some familiar Windsor equine faces and favourites return to action at the Berkshire track this Monday. Despite this being only the start of her 3-year-old season, Rachel Cook & John Bridger’s filly, Kiss And Run, is making her 5th racecourse appearance at the Royal track. She failed to finish better than 4th in four runs at Windsor last year, but is one of the bookies’ favourites to land the 14:00 handicap. She made a promising return last month when 2nd in a Bath handicap. Rod Millman’s Amazonian Dream is making his 9th Windsor visit in the 16:20 handicap for older horses. He made his debut at Windsor on June 13th 2022 and despite some spirited efforts, it took him until his 7th course appearance, last October, to break his Windsor duck. He was back in action here for the opening 2024 meeting on April 15th, but failed to get into contention.
There are two other course and distance winners in the 16:20. Tom Ward’s Lady Dreamer ran three times at Windsor during 2023, finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Luke Dace also sends out Snuggle again. He won the opener during the first evening meeting at Windsor a fortnight ago. 2021 Champion Apprentice, Marco Ghiani, once again takes the mount. Snuggle was the Sardinian saddlesmith’s only ride two weeks ago, and he comes to Windsor for one sole purpose on this occasion too. Snuggle was also a winner last spring at Windsor when trained by Ed Walker.
Will On Edge Have Us On Tenterhooks Again?
Rod Millman’s Amazonian Dream is making her 9th outing here, the Devon handler also sends out another Berkshire track regular, Bama Lama, in the 17:30 handicap. Hollie Doyle takes the ride on the 6-year-old, who races for the 7th time at Windsor. The chestnut mare has won here twice previously, once in 2021 and once last year. Both her Windsor successes were over 6 furlongs, so we’ll see how she performs dropping down a furlong. On Edge was edged out by only a neck a fortnight ago at Windsor, his fourth appearance at the track. Christopher Mason’s 6-year-old also runs in the 17:30 contest. He, like Bama Lama, has only previously tasted success over 6 furlongs at Windsor. That sole trumph came here last October in a 15-runner event.
Last but not least, Trojan Truth and Fullforward in the curtain-closing 18:00 handicap. The bookies have Ed de Giles’ Trojan Truth as having the better chance of the pair. He is racing at Windsor for the 6th time after two visits in 2022 and three last year. His only track success came in a 10-furlong handicap last May. Fullforward goes one better, as he takes his 7th Windsor bow. Like Trojan Truth though, Michael Madgwick’s 4-year-old has only entered the winners’ enclosure once previously here. He won over the Windsor maximum of 1 mile 3 ½ furlongs last October.
Charles and Camilla Will Be Taking An Interest
Windsor racegoers always love a royal-owned runner, the chance to see to those famous scarlet and purple with gold braid colours in the flesh. This Monday, there’s a double-helping of royal goodness with Gilded Waters running in the 14:35 and Anglepoise in the following race (15:10). Willie Haggas’ Gilded Waters looks to have the better chance of the two. We last saw him action when a distant 5th in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket a fortnight ago. Connections will be hoping he comes on for that run, which was his racecourse debut.
Windsor Race-By-Race Preview
14:00
None of those whose who have previously raced at Windsor have produced any notable performances and I prefer to side with Charlie Mason. Experienced Windsor jockey, Rossa Ryan, takes the mount and being a son of Mayson, Tony Carroll’s 3-year-old should like the fact there’s a bit of juice underfoot.
14:35
I’m thinking of taking on the favourite, Usuario Amigo, who looks too short for me in an open-looking novices contest. I like Gilded Water and Quiet Sea as possible each-way shots. The jockey/trainer combination of Tom Marquand and Willie Haggas has a good record at Windsor and why Gilded Water makes appeal. Quiet Sea, a son of Sea The Moon, should appreciate the going being on the soft side of good.
15:10
The Gosdens were in good nick at Windsor last Monday and Vibrato could keep their Windsor winning streak going. The 3-year-old looks on the upgrade. I might have a small each-way nibble on the Royal runner too, Anglepoise, with Rossa Ryan & Ralph Beckett combining.
15:45
College Choir gets my vote in the small 5-runner field. It’s his first turf run out, but he should like the fact it’s on the soft side of good.
Snuggle Looks To Double Up
16:20
Lots of familiar Windsor equine faces line-up for this 4-year-old+ handicap. I like Sergeant Pep and Snuggle. Snuggle impressed me when winning here a fortnight ago and the talented Marco Ghiani once again heads to Windsor for just the one ride. Sergeant Pep is always consistent and should be in the mix again.
16:55
It wouldn’t surprise me if Theworldsnotenough backs up his maiden success from Windsor a fortnight ago. The second that day, Hatadora, won readily last week. All Tom Ward’s runners have performed well during these early Windsor weeks too. I quite like the look of Waistcoat too. It’s Richard Hannon’s sole runner at the Berkshire track this week. Sean Levey takes the ride and he’s a Sea The Stars progeny, so should appreciate the going.
17:30
I’m going to side with On Edge. An experienced and reliable sort at Windsor, who has finished 2nd, 1st and 3rd in his last three starts here. Gina Mangan has a good relationship with him, the ground shouldn’t bother him and I expect him to go well again.
18:00
I expect Daphne May and Dotties Star to run big races in the last on the card. They’ve produced positive performances at Windsor previously and I expect both to enjoy the going and trip.
Like every Windsor meeting, all races will be screened live on Sky Sports Racing. Good Luck All !!! Let us know your Windsor selections by clicking on ‘Comments’ under the main article title at the top of the piece.
Gunning For Guineas Glory at Newmarket
Windsor Races Preview – Monday April 29th
Windsor Races Preview – The Evening Racing Curtain-Raiser
Royal Windsor Racecourse – Why We Love Mondays
The Grand National – The Key Stats & Trends
The Grand National – The Countdown Is On
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
