Windsor 20/05/2019

5.30 Windsor | Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap
Ring Cycle 25-1
Trainer Sylvester Kirk has had three winners from nine runners in the last fortnight, a 33 per cent strike-rate, and his Ring Cycle could be overpriced in the opener. The gelding remains unexposed after just three runs and the form of his first two starts makes for good reading. Prominent on debut at Kempton, he held his own fairly well, just lacking the speed of a few of his rivals over a mile to finish seventh. He was only four and a half lengths behind the winner Set Piece, who was third in the Dante and clearly not himself when 14th of 19 in the 2,000 Guineas. He is rated 104, while the second Just The Man (80), third Creationist (94), fourth Alhaazm (77) and fifth Elamirr (81) all look decent types. The eighth, Astrologer, has also won since and is now rated 77. Upped to 1m2f on his second start, Ring Cycle was a decent third to Alfaatik, who ran in Sandown’s Classic Trial on his next start, and the promising Pianissimo. The son of Norse Dancer has had a break since disappointing on his only other start in January, suggesting something was amiss, and judging by his very smart pedigree, he should improve for this switch to turf. A mark of 72 could underestimate him.

6.30 Windsor | Weatherbys Hamilton Stakes
Glorious Journey 9-2
The Tin Man has been a fabulous sprinter for the last couple of years, winning this race on reappearance in 2016 and 2018, and although on ratings he should just about have enough to cater for his younger rivals, I think he is worth taking on considering his hefty penalty. He has to give 7lb to my selection Glorious Journey, who looks very interesting stepping back down to sprinting trips. A 2,600,000gns purchase, he made a big impression when winning over six furlongs on debut at Newmarket in June 2017 and duly followed up in a Saint-Cloud Group 3. Consistent albeit frustrating last season, he still won another French Group 3 over a mile when William Buick was allowed to dictate the race from the front. He was eighth, beaten only four and a half lengths, on his seasonal reappearance in the Victoria Cup off a mark of 109, showing plenty of pace before just fading in the final furlong. That effort suggested this return to six furlongs was worth a shot and he could spring a surprise.

7.00 Windsor | Windsor’s 1866 Restaurant Handicap
Victory Angel 9-2
A winner off a mark of 90 at Yarmouth in June 2017, Victory Angel still looks well handicapped on bits and pieces of last year’s form, including when just a length behind Gifted Master in a Newmarket handicap off a mark of 99. He ran a race full of promise on his first start for Robert Cowell on the Rowley Mile course last time, travelling well and looming up towards the centre of the track before becoming slightly unbalanced in the Dip and finishing fourth. The winner, On The Warpath, is now rated 110 and should have little trouble winning a Group race, while the second and third Summerghand (100) and Flavius Titus (95) ran right up to form based on their previous course-and-distance efforts. Surprisingly, Victory Angel has been dropped 1lb to 92 for that, and he could prove too classy for these with this flatter track in his favour.