Windsor, Folkestone and Kelso

The feeble start to the flat racing season continues today with meetings at Windsor and Folkestone. Windsor´ s Monday meetings (as of next week, in the evenings) are traditional, but today´s card is very low-level. On 2010 form, the 3yo maiden over 10 furlongs at 17.10 CET could go to Discoteca (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), third on both his 2010 starts, or Silverware (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore) but neither of them look that brilliant, and possibly well-bred newcomer Informed Award (John Gosden/ William Buick) will come out on top. The 6 furlongs event for 3yo´s at 18.10 could go to Green Apple (Peter Makin/ Fergus Sweeney), an easy Wolverhampton maiden winner last time; this is a better grade event, but she still might be good enough. The 5 furlongs handicap at 17.40 is as tricky as usual, but we like 2 oldtimers, 10yo Efistorm(Conor Dore/ Hayley Turner) and 11yo Cape Royal (Milton Bradley/ Richard Kingscote). Both have been running without much success on the all -weather, but they are much better (and higher rated!) on turf and both have a good CD record.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lord Ofthe Shadows - Sea Odyssey - Silverheels
2. Race: Captain Sharpe - Quite A Catch - Dew Reward
3. Race: Kingsdine - Kilburn - Yes Chef
4. Race: Informed Award - Discoteca - Silverware
5. Race: Galatian - Ajjaadd - Cape Royal
6. Race: Green Apple - Grandmas Dream - Firstknight


The fields are very poor at Folkestone, and it is clear that many trainers are now boycotting ths meeting because of the lousy prize-money. Gay Gallivanter (Mick Quinn/ Kieren Fallon) was rejected as not good enough by previous owner Cheveley Park Stud and trainer John Gosden) but could still take care of extremely weak opposition in the fillies maiden at 17.20. The 3yo handicap over 6 furlongs an hour earlier could go to Apollo d´Negro (Clive Cox/ John Fahy), who was well backed without winning on a couple of occasions last year and seems to be on a very lenient mark.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Queen Of The Hop - The Dancing Lord - First Rebellion
2. Race: Alpha Delta Whisky - Bahri Sheen - His Grace
3. Race: Queen Of Cash - Speedfit Girl - Apollo D`Negro
4. Race: Tony Hollis - Red Zeus - Jackie Love
5. Race: Gay Gallivanter - Timpanist - Here To Eternity
6. Race: Not So Bright - Ya Hafed - Frosty Reception
7. Race: Rose Aurora - Derby Desire - Sir Haydn


The fields are much better at the only jumps meeting today, at Kelso in the Scottish Borders. There are however only 5 runners in the novice chase at 16.30, which should go to Chamirey (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire); he had np chance in much stronger company at Cheltenham last time, but has obvious prospects here. The novice hurdle has attracted a strong entry and is split into 2 divisions, both with 15 runners. Realt Mor (Nicky Richards/ Dominic Elsworth) was heavily backed on his debut over sticks at Ayr, but fell 3 out when leading and looking the likely winner; he can recover those losses at 17.00. Two hours later, Bogside (George Charlton/ Jan Faltejsek) can take the second division; he was 5th here last time in a much better race. Reaping the Reward (Andrew Parker / Richard McGrath), a decent bumper but off the track for almost 2 years, looks the only danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: A Stones Throw - King Mak - Kykate
2. Race: Sheriff Hall - Duke Of Malfi - Cabbyl Doo
3. Race: Chamirey - Flying Doctor - Milans Man
4. Race: Realt Mor - Rupert Lamb - Kings Grey
5. Race: Hold On Julio - Rakerin Lad - Salveo
6. Race: Hawaii Klass - Shooting Times - Moon Indigo
7. Race: Flighty Mist - Identity Parade - Streamtown
8. Race: Bogside - Reaping The Reward - Tom`S Toybox