The Racing League has thrown up some hugely competitive races so far, as the regional teams from across the country do battle for supremacy this summer. Week four of the event goes to Windsor on Thursday evening, and GG tipster Joe Napier gives his best bets across the night.
5.00 Windsor – Racing League Race 22 Handicap
He has struggled to win in his career, but RESERVARDO has run nine times and is yet to finish outside of the top three. The issue for Simon & Ed Crisford’s runner is that only one of those has resulted in victory when scoring in a Catterick novice event in May.
He must be highly thought of though, as he has gone off as favourite in seven of his nine starts, including as an 8/15 shot on his debut over course and distance. He was only beaten a head that day and has broadly carried on his near-miss approach from maiden and novice races in handicap company.
He has handicap form figures of 3232, all over 5f, with his heaviest defeat coming by 1¼ lengths at Musselburgh. However, he was unlucky in running last time at Lingfield, with his overall profile remaining progressive, while his draw in stall 4 is the best of those likely to be up with the pace.
5.30 Windsor – Racing League Race 23 Handicap
The two three-year-olds ran well in this race last season and it may be worth taking a chance on the unexposed HINCHINBROOKE, who has excuses for a lifeless handicap debut last time out and has more to offer after only four career starts.
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s charge ran promisingly in all three of his starts in maiden company, finishing fourth of 15 in the ever-competitive Wood Ditton Maiden before two third-placed efforts at Newbury and Sandown respectively. The winners of those two contests are now rated 90 and 87; Hinchinbrooke lines up here off 79 having been bang in contention in both races.
He was last of five when upped to 1m4f on the all-weather at Southwell for his first handicap start, but the surface and distance may have had a detrimental impact. His prominent racing style, coupled with the drop back to 1m2f, could both be positives for the son of Cracksman.
7.00 Windsor – Racing League Race 26 Handicap
He is the only runner with a victory in his last two starts and this season has been a very consistent one overall for JIMMY SPEAKING, who can potentially back up his success last time out at Yarmouth.
That was on soft ground, but he has won on good, and has form figures on good-to-firm of 2332. They include a second of ten at Ascot two starts back when only beaten a neck in narrowly failing to make all, but Windsor is a much better track for pace setters or chasers than Ascot is.
He is also up only 2lb for his success under Jack Dace at Yarmouth last time. Dace can only claim 5lb now compared to 7lb that day, but even a 4lb rise would look reasonable for a horse who has beaten 35 of his 41 rivals across his last four races.
7.30 Windsor – Racing League Race 27 Handicap
Last year’s winner Night Breeze returns, and in good shape too, but the handicapper has been wary of his improvement, as he is 19lb higher than 12 months ago. Given he was beaten by just a neck last term and is just 1lb higher, LIEBER POWER could easily overturn that running off 18lb better terms despite not being in comparable fettle.
That is not to say Andrew Balding’s charge has been running poorly. He has two further seconds and two thirds since his runner-up effort as favourite 12 months ago, often running in higher company than this. His three weakest efforts all came over trips beyond 1m4f too, which he likely hasn’t stayed over.
His third at Chepstow over this trip last time out was another solid run, giving him place possibilities again here at the very least. Given how close he was to winning this last season against a horse now rated so much higher, he looks the value option.
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