It is the first day of the 3 day Winter Millions Weekend and it's a proper cracking card down at Windsor. Some quality on show and a ultra competitive handicap hurdle.
12:40, Fitzdares Berkshire Winter Million Novices' Hurdle
Honky Tonk Highway 3/1, 2pts win
I learned from the first meeting here last month that especially on the hurdles track, it helps to have plenty of pace. This 3 mile hurdle looks as though it could turn a bit tactical so I like the chances of Dan Skelton's unexposed mare, Honky Tonk Highway. She showed smart form in bumpers last season before seeing it out gamely from the front over 2 miles on heavy ground at Sandown over hurdles last time. She looked that day as if she will find improvement for stepping up in trip and this looks like a good track to do it at. She's got plenty of class and could just have too much for the geldings here if she builds on her potential.
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13:15, Fitzdares Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
Mryetown 9/2, 2pts win
If Lucina Russell's unexposed chaser can get to the front I think he'll take some stopping round this track. He ran in an extremely tough handicap chase on seasonal debut at Newbury and showed promise behind a couple of classy types before winning a minor event at Wetherby last month. He's up to 3 miles now for the first time and this could unlock further improvement given he has won over this trip in a point to point. Surely he's better than a mark of 123.
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15:35, Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle
Hansard 7/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)
This is a real belter and I could go on for days about the chances of many here. This could be quite a grueling race and a few of these are coming into it off the back of career best efforts who may find things tougher now from higher marks. I like the chances of Hansard here. He's still unexposed for a 7 year old and is just 3 pounds higher than when winning the Gerry Fielden last season. He ran a cracker after 370 days off the track when 4th at Kempton last time out. He looked like a potential winner coming round the home bend before fitness waned. He'll strip fitter here and he has bundles of pace which will really help round these bends.
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