Monday April 19th

A frustrating day on Saturday and in the end we were just less than levels for the week. We were correct to take on Canford Cliffs, but Arcano was disappointing and there is a chance he has not trained on. Embsay Crag ran on to dead heat for second and land us the each-way money, but again he was unlucky in his run and did not quite get the strong pace he needs to set the race up for his strong finishing style.

One bet for today and I must say I really like our chances of a win.

6.40 Windsor Starclass 3pts each-way @ 8/1 (Bet 365, guaranteed - take early price)
NON RUNNER

Represents Walter Swinburn and ridden by stable jockey Adam Kirby. Swinburn had a very quiet year last year but seems to have hit the ground running with a 3/9 33% strike rate in March and 4/22 18% so far in April, both months returning a level stakes profit on all runners. Clearly they are in fine fettle, and they send the selection to contest a half decent, well contested Windsor maiden. I find it interesting she runs because Swinburn doesn't tilt at windmills and he must think she is capable of a good showing - it smacks to me of "let's see how good she is tonight", otherwise I'd expect to see her in a tinpot maiden at Wolves or Kempton at some stage.

Her only run was at Salisbury last October in a 7f maiden which has worked out pretty damn well. Sent off an unconsidered 66/1 shot, she displayed signs of greenness as she was tucked in from a wide draw in rear, a little keen, but she travelled very well and seemed to make ground on the leaders fairly readily. She was sent up the rail to make a challenge but, whether the jockey didn't want to send an inexperienced horse through what was a narrow gap, or whether she was blocked by another horse and not able to make the run through at all, she didn't take the gap up the rail and was allowed to come home in her own time under considerate handling. She actually received a really nice, educational ride and connections might well reap the benefits today. She has quite a bit of size about her and definitely has the scope to make a decent three year old. The Salisbury race has worked out well, the third followed up with a close 2/20 in a good Newmarket maiden, and the third posted an RPR of 81 when winning at Southwell. The eighth, who was 1 1/4 lengths behind Starclass, won a fair little Novice Stakes at Lingfield and is a fairly useable OR mid 70's type. All of which makes Straclass' performance look pretty good. I think she is an OR 80+ horse and in this field, I would go maximum if her progress from two to three and race fitness were assured. They are not, but I'm happy to have a decent each-way bet at what looks a fair price.