There are plenty of tempting possibilities, although some of them might be inconvenienced if the ground is softer than good. Boy George would look the most likely winner on several counts but he's far from the only would-be front-runner and his task may be complicated by that. A chance is taken instead that ALPINE STROLL can bounce back from a heavy reappearance defeat to deliver the goods second time out, which is almost exactly what he did last season. Naasma is third on the list.[Richard Austen]
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8yo who exploited a career-low mark at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) last month and escaped a penalty when following up at Haydock (1m2f, good to firm; made all) in another six-runner race six days later, both under Jack Dace; 4lb higher today but could be climbing back up the ladder; ground softer than good would be a big worry.
His latest win was last August in good style off 2lb lower than today; however, the last four of those wins were over 1m6f, he was much more out than in last year and has had heavy defeats at big odds both starts this season; blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Won over about 1m4f last July and October; back to his last winning mark today and the first of those wins came after he finished last the time before on his first run for six months; he was last on his 2025 return as well, tailed off, but Rossa Ryan is booked here and this 7yo is one to keep an eye on.
C&D winner (good to soft) last April and also scored at Kempton (2m, AW) in October; creditable placings on first two starts this year, form which dipped when favourite on latest outing but she's probably a contender.
All four wins on turf at 1m2f, most recently last May and she's now 5lb below that winning mark; recent reappearance was more positive than her end to last year but she needs to prove stamina on first go beyond 1m3f.
0-14 for Richard Hannon (7f-1m2f on a variety of surfaces); no show when trying 1m4f in first-time cheekpieces on stable debut ten days ago; blinkers (worn on previous last two starts) return but he's on the speculative side.
Veteran who gained three of his ten wins at this track (last July's win was at Chepstow) and shaped well here on reappearance five weeks ago; all his turf success has come on good or good to firm.
Front-runner; it's eyecatching that he's won over this trip in his only two handicap starts at Windsor (2022 and August 2024); last year's was middle leg of a hat-trick (following a long break) on wide range of ground and he reappeared with a Chepstow win four weeks ago; up 6lb to career-high mark but did it well and looks sure to have a big shout.
All four wins have been on good or firmer, and it's possible she needs that; the latest was just 17 days ago at Bath (1m2f; up 4lb today) and she also scored over C&D in 2023; front-running lately.
Three 1m2f wins under Joe Leavy in the second half of 2023 and one of those was a rare run on turf (good to firm); he's now 5lb below his last winning mark but has been absent since December 2023.
Often front-runner; 5-15 at Windsor, yet he hasn't raced here since August 2023 (often withdrawn since due to unsuitable ground or vet's/self certificates); now a 10yo, powers appear to be on the wane and something to prove over this far, but the return to Windsor has to spark some interest.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
