Windsor 19:45
Windsor hosts an evening card on a Monday throughout the summer, and it's an excellent venue to go racing. They have quite a nice looking card there tonight, and this is a one mile handicap for those rated 0-80, being run on good to firm ground.
Manton Grange has been running well this year, and got his head in front last time out over seven furlongs at Leicester. That was on good to soft ground, but he seems very versatile when it comes to the underfoot conditions, finishing second over a mile at Bath on firm ground proving this. He has been raised five pounds for his Leicester win, but still seems very much on the upgrade and I think one mile is his optimum trip. James Doyle takes the ride again, and he has been among the winners recently, as well as having good long term form here at Windsor.
The Salmon Man has been running very consistently without winning, finishing second in both of his previous two races. They were both over ten furlongs, so he drops back down in trip today, and will hope for this to be a strongly run race so his stamina will come into play over the last couple of furlongs. There are quite a few runners in this field who are usually very quick from the stalls, so it appears there could be quite a bit of pace in the race. Windsor is a tough course to come from behind on however, so Pat Dobbs will need the gaps to appear at the right time, if he is to get The Salmon Man home in front.
Shifting Star is a confirmed front runner and if he breaks in normal fashion, it appears very likely that he will be taking them along, with William Carson on board, over the first few furlongs. He hasn't been at his best on his previous two runs, but the return to firmer ground is a major plus, and this twelve year old still looks full of running and will take some catching.
Charlie Hills runs Venutius is this, and he is another who will surely appreciate the return to firmer ground. He has won three times over eight furlongs on good to firm going, and has also been second three times. This shows that conditions here today are perfect for him, and the fact that he is just two pounds higher than for his last victory, mean he comes here with an excellent chance.
Today's Selection
Windsor 19:45 - Venutius - 1 point win @ 7/1 (Bet365)