The lucrative three-day Berkshire Winter Million fixture kicks-off on Friday at Windsor, who have their jumping track back up and running, and it could be a big afternoon for former champion trainer Paul Nicholls – with three favourites in the four LIVE ITV Racing contests.
Berkshire Winter Million Preview: Day One at Windsor with Four LIVE ITV Races
Windsor’s gain is Lingfield’s loss as the Berkshire track has taking over hosting duties of two of the three days at the Winter Millions card – which starts on Friday 17th January with a decent seven-race fixture.
These include four races live on ITV Racing, while racegoers will be back at Windsor on Sunday for the final day with Ascot and the Clarence House Chase hosting in between, which is the make-up for the three-day fixture.
Let’s take a look at the four main Windsor races on day one of the Berkshire Winter Million meeting, where Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls looks to have a strong hand.
1:50 – Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m ITV4
Just the four runners here but it is still a fascinating affair with two of the quartet – Caldwell Potter and Gidleigh Park – both on recovery missions.
CALDWELL POTTER was a €740k purchase last year by former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and his pals, then sent to Paul Nicholls and was expected to be a big player at the up-coming Cheltenham Festival.
However, despite winning on his debut for the yard at Carlisle in December ran poorly at Cheltenham just a few weeks later – beaten as the 11/10 favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
That loss came over 2m 4 1/2f though and is back in trip on Friday (2m), which many feel will help.
But his jumping the last day wasn’t great so this will need to improve and after such a high-profile purchase you feel this race will have a lot riding on it for him.
He takes on Gidleigh Park – a horse that also have a tall reputation after three wins early last season.
But the bubble has since burst after running only sixth in the Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival and was pulled up on chasing debut at Kempton – with the vets after the race reporting the horse to have an irregular heartbeat.
Personal Ambition and the 2022 Mares Novices’ Hurdle Festival winner You Wear It Well, from the in-form Jamie Snowden yard, make up the four.
2:25 – Lets Bet Personal With Fitzdares Mares’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+ 0-145) 2m4f ITV4
The next ITV Racing contest at day one of the Berkshire Winter Million meeting sees seven runners – headed by the Dan Skelton-trained Panic Attack.
This 9 year-old was formerly with David Pipe but switched to Skelton in November – she’s since picked up two bronze medals with runs at Ludlow and Newbury over hurdles and is back over fences here on what will only be her fifth try over the bigger obstacles (1 win).
The Skelton yard also run outsider Sacre Coeur with 7lb claimer Harry Atkins riding. This horse was only a neck second to another entry Ilovethenightlife at Kempton back in November.
Those looking to take on the Skelton runners here might look to their current form – just two wins from their last 18 (correct 16th Jan).
There are three last-time-out winners in the field – Party Vibes, Game On For Glory and Mayhem Mya, who will all be popular with the best betting sites in the UK.
The field is made up by the Irish-trained topweight LAW ELLA coming over from the in-form Gavin Cromwell team that are operating with a nice strike-rate at present.
3:00 – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m4f ITV4
Another good chance for trainer Paul Nicholls here with his Long Walk Hurdle sixth BLUEKING d’OROUX set to go off as market leader in this slightly easier-looking race.
This 6 year-old was only beaten four lengths that day at Ascot by the useful Crambo and before that ran the improving Lucky Place to a length – repeats of these runs would make him a big player here.
We could also see last season’s Triumph Hurdle third Salver for the Gary and Josh Moore camp.
Plus, the winner of the Coral Cup for the last two seasons Langer Dan is also in attendance for the Skeltons. He’ll need a good run here before heading to the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.
Recent Hereford scorer, Nemean Lion will love the soft ground and is also out again – with the Nicky Henderson-trained Iberico Lord, who took the Betfair Hurdle last season, makes up the five runners.
3:35 – Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m ITV4
The ITV Racing at Windsor on Friday ends with an ultra-competitive Handicap Hurdle – with 14 runners heading to post.
It could be another big race for the Paul Nicholls yard though as their lightly-raced KABRAL Du MATHAN will be popular after a close second at Kempton over Christmas.
That was only his fourth run over hurdles and was his first defeat so there looks to be more improvement to come.
Recent Sandown winner Knickerbockerglory and Newbury scorer Navajo Indy are others punters are sure to take an interest in.
As is Brentford Hope, who ran the useful Rubaud to 1 1/4 lengths at Wincanton back in November and is the top-rated (148) in the race so will have to carry topweight (12st).
The consistent Beat The Bat and Wreckless Eric are players too.
While top jockey Nico de Boinville catches the eye booked to ride the Hughie Morrison runner SECRET SQUIRREL who fell when in third in the same race Kabral Du Mathan finished second in at Kempton (watch below – forward to the last race).
What Is The Windsor Racecourse Going and Weather?
- GOING SOFT, Good to soft in places
- (GoingStick: 5.6)
- (Rail movements: 12.40, 1.15, 2.25, 3.00 & 4.08 +38yds and 1.50 & 3.35 +24yds)
- (Partly cloudy), Dry (Sun and Cloud) 6 degrees
