18:35 Windsor

Monday 22 May 2023

All17:0017:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier Handicap

Off time: 18:36 | Winning time: 1m 11.41s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Lethal Nymph²²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 96| D

10/3

Sixteenth of 19 in handicap (15/2) at York (6f, good to soft) when last seen in October. Looked progressive when landing back-to-back Ascot handicaps prior to that and, with conditions here likely to be more suitable, he will be a threat if fully tuned-up.

Form: 347110-

(10)

Watchya⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: N Callan| T: George Baker| OR: 95| D

18/1

25/1, good 1½ lengths fifth of 10 to Kimngrace in listed race at Lingfield (5f, AW) 86 days ago. However, his mark has suffered as a consequence of that effort (up 4 lb) and may prove vulnerable back in a handicap.

Form: 10140-5

(9)

Blackrod¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: R A Teal| OR: 94| D

7/1

Below form twelfth of 21 in handicap (12/1) at Newmarket (6f, soft) 16 days ago. Would be a major force off this reduced mark if reproducing something akin to his peak form but there's no real reason to anticipate a return to form here.

Form: 1706-00

(7)

Spanish Star¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: P R Chamings| OR: 90| D

10/1

3/1, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) 17 days ago, readily. Subsequent 3 lb rise has elevated this 8-y-o to a career-high mark but he is clearly in good nick and the forecast faster ground here won't be an issue.

Form: 3410-61

(2)

Indian Creak¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: J Channon| OR: 86| BF| CD

5/1

Four-time C&D winner, the most recent of which was a decisive all-the-way success earlier this month. 5/4, bit below form third of 7 in handicap under a penalty at Thirsk (6f, heavy) since but he has to be of interest back here.

Form: 030-613

(6)

Bear Profit²⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 85| BF| D

9/1

9/4, good third of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford City (6f), conceding first run. Off 8 months and looks no more than averagely-treated, so the percentage call is to take him on.

Form: 230613-

(3)

Haymaker³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: H Morrison| OR: 85| D

10/3

10/1, good third of 15 in handicap at Newbury (6f, heavy) 31 days ago, racing closer to pace than ideal. Return to a faster surface should help (both wins gained on good ground) and it'd be a surprise if his best days aren't still ahead of him.

Form: 44153-3

(1)

Count Otto^h⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 84| D

33/1

Won 11-runner handicap at Lingfield (6f, AW, 40/1) 80 days ago, well positioned. Remains on a workable mark up 3 lb but hasn't won on turf for over 2 years.

Form: 751-791

(8)

Zero Carbon¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: David Egan| T: R Hughes| OR: 80| D

7/1

Bit below form sixth of 11 in handicap (9/1) at Ascot (5f, good) 19 days ago, nearest finish. This step back up in trip promises to suit and, now 2 lb lower, he's certainly not without hope.

Form: 4023-06

Non-Runners

(5)

May Sonic⁶⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: C Hills J: W Buick

Forecasts

Haymaker (10/3), Lethal Nymph (10/3), Indian Creak (5/1), Zero Carbon (7/1), Blackrod (7/1), Bear Profit (9/1), Spanish Star (10/1), May Sonic (12/1), Watchya (18/1), Count Otto (33/1)

The most appealing of these is HAYMAKER, who resumed with a good effort off this mark in a big-field contest at Newbury last month. He is entitled to come on for that run (first outing following a 7-month break) and forecast quicker ground here is another positive factor. Lethal Nymph failed to land a blow on his final start of 2022 but he was on the up prior to that and has to enter calculations. Zero Carbon is third choice ahead of recent Goodwood scorer Spanish Star.