Windsor Preview Blog
Monday 16th June 2025
6.00: Join Fitzdares For A Personal Service Handicap: Another Monday evening at Windsor gets underway a 6.00, which is a Class 5 handicap over five furlongs. HELLO LUNA could be ready to get her head in front here for the in form yard of Jonathan Portman. She’s said to be ridden by Rossa Ryan here and has run well in both of her handicap starts to date. She was only a length and a quarter behind The Feminine Urger over course and distance on her penultimate outing, and that run came off a two-pound higher mark. She was three lengths behind Ghostman last time out at Lingfield, but is six pounds better off at the weights here and could bridge that gap.
Ghostman himself has to be considered for Dylan Cunha and Sean Levey; he wasn’t able to follow up his victory at Lingfield in May at that same track last time, eventually finishing fifth, however, he remains on a competitive mark. Another player here could come in the form of Bretton Wood for Robert Cowell, who has the eye-catching jockey booking of Oisin Murphy. He posted his best effort to date last time out at Lingfield when finishing third of eight, and will contest this off a pound lower mark. I suspect a big run could be on the cards.
Shortlist: Hello Luna, Ghostman, Bretton Wood
6.30: Fitzdares Taking Bets Since 1882 EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes: The second race of the evening is the 6.30 and this is a Class 5 maiden that’s set to be ridden over a distance of five furlongs. OUR CODY looks to be the most obvious starting point here for Richard Hughes and Finley Marsh. She’s shown a decent level of ability in his short career so far, finishing fourth on racecourse debut at Chepstow in May, before finishing a length and three-quarters second of twelve at Chelmsford last time out at the beginning of the month. If she naturally continues his current rate of progression, she could prove tough to beat here.
Miss Apres looks to be the next best here, although there isn’t much to separate the two. She’s finished fourth in both of her starts to date; however, she was much closer last week at Goodwood, with that run coming within Class 3 company. She should also naturally progress, and should be bang there once more. Out of the newcomers, Highlighting could be one to note for Eve Johnson Houghton and Charlie Bishop. She’s by Showcasing and will be interesting in the betting.
Shortlist: Our Cody, Miss Apres, Highlighting
7.00: Call Fitzdares For Top Prices Restricted Novice Stakes: It’s novice action at 7.00 with a Class 5 novice event taking centre-stage over a mile and two furlongs. Jonathan Portman could also hold the key to this particular contest as well, as he sends MASOLAR here, who’s another who’s set to be ridden by Rob Hornby. She was an encouraging fifth on his racecourse debut here last month, pressing the leader a furlong out before fading close home. That suggests that this drop down in trip should suit, and she should show natural progression on her second start.
The Richard Hannon trained River King is likely to be on the premises once again here, he’s becoming quite expensive to follow having finished in the placings in each of his three starts this term without winning, when sent off at relatively short prices, that being said, he should be getting his head in front before long. An interesting runner here is Rogue Identity for Peter Chapple-Hyam, he’s not been seen since finishing fourth at Southwell back in October, in a race that has since produced winners. It would be significant if there’s support for him in the betting on the day.
Shortlist: Masolar, River King, Rogue Identity
7.30: Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier Handicap: We move back into handicap company at 7.30, and this is the feature Class 3 event that’s contested over six furlongs. It could be worth giving another chance to HAVANAGREATTIME here for Richard Hughes, who’s the mount of seven-pound claimer Donagh Murphy. He was a winner of a Class 3 event at Newbury on his penultimate start, and will effectively contest this off a four-pound lower mark with the rider’s claim coming into play. A bold showing would be no surprise.
Amazonian Dream looks well-handicapped here for Rod Millman and Lewis Edmunds; he’s been dropped a further two pounds for a solid effort over course and distance last month when finishing third of ten, and he’s now four pounds below his last winning mark. Elsewhere, an interesting runner is Stanley Spencer for James Tate, he’s a three-time winner on the all-weather, and hasn’t been seen since finishing three-quarters of a length third of seven at Chelmsford in February. If he’s race fit and converts his all-weather form to the turf, he could have a say here under Oisin Murphy.
Shortlist: Havanagreattime, Amazonian Dream, Stanley Spencer
8.00: Download Fitzdares World Of Sport Podcast Handicap: Next up, it’s the 8.00 and this is a Class 4 handicap which is also set to be ridden over a distance of six furlongs. It could well pay to side with STAR CHORUS here for the in-form yard of Andrew Balding, who’s set to be ridden by Oisin Murphy. He’s progressed with each start since returning to the track this spring following wind surgery, and he’ll contest this particular contest off the same mark as his second-place effort at Bath last week. He’s shaping as though his return to the winners’ enclosure is forthcoming.
Don Pacifico looks like another big player here, and he represents the team of Simon & Ed Crisford, and is the mount of Harry Davies. He showed much improved form to finish second of eleven at Haydock last time out, and has every chance of going close again here off just a two-pound higher mark. Another one for the shortlist would be Peter The Wolf for the duo of Edward & Warren Greatrex. He’s not been beaten far in his two starts within handicap company to date, finishing third in both starts, and can go well again here off the same mark.
Shortlist: Star Chorus, Don Pacifico, Peter The Wolf
8.30: Text Fitzdares For Extra Places Handicap: It’s more Class 4 handicap action at 8.30, this time over a mile. Marco Botti sends THYER to take his place here, who’s the mount of Rossa Ryan, and I think he holds a very solid chance. He’s returned to these shores in good form, following a couple of runs at Meydan in February, finishing a close-up second and a length and a half third, both within handicaps at Nottingham. He remains on the same mark as his latest start there, and should give his running once again here.
Lyndon B could be on a manageable mark for John & Rhys Flint, who’s set to be ridden by Saffie Osbourne. He’s now back down to the same mark as when he finished three-quarters of a length second of fifteen, in a competitive handicap at Newbury last August. He’ll need to bounce back from an underwhelming seasonal reappearance at Newmarket last month, but he should be sharper here. Top Of The Class has been in very consistent form on the all-weather as of late, and he transfers some of that form to the turf, has every chance of getting involved here for Mark Loughnane and Tom Marquand.
Shortlist: Thyer, Lyndon B, Top Of The Class
9.00: Call Fitzdares For Royal Ascot Classified Stakes: Bringing the curtain down on another Monday night at Windsor will be the 9.00, and this is a Class 6 classified event over a mile and three furlongs and a half. This is as poor quality as it gets; however, it could be Martin Dunne’s ALL COST that capitalists for Jack Callan, who takes off seven pounds. He’s one of the few here that comes into the race in form, having finished second of nine at Chepstow last time out, albeit six and a half lengths behind the winner. A repeat of that level of form could well be enough in this.
Spaceage Love Song ran well when last seen for Michael Bell, finishing three-quarters of a length fourth of nine at Kempton; that run did come back in January, though, and he’ll need to prove his fitness. There could be more to come from him, though, within handicap company. Finally, Bond Spirit is generally consistent in these low-grade affairs, although said consistency has appeared to desert him on his last two starts. He’s a player, though if he returns to his winter form on the all-weather.
Shortlist: All Cost, Spaceage Love Song, Bond Spirit
