UK Horse Racing Tips: Windsor

A tricky contest on paper, but one that could fall the way of COUP DE FORCE, who has won two of her last three starts at Lingfield and Ffos Las. An added 2lb from the handicapper seems fair and both ground and trip look ideal for her. Grand Cru Gaga raced too freely at Wolverhampton to do herself justice and she could run a lot better here if settling under David Probert, while Libra Tiger is worth a market watch wearing a hood for his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Coup De Force 2nd Grand Cru Gaga 3rd Libra Tiger

Kerdos ran on strongly to score over this trip at Haydock last month and may prove better over further in time, but he still seems likely to make a bold bid to give weight away to the rest of the field here. Whether he will be able to catch likely front-runner SPIDER MURPHY is a moot point and he may be the value call, despite a distant seventh over a mile at Salisbury last month. Dropped in trip he could take some catching, while newcomer Art Of Romance is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Spider Murphy 2nd Kerdos 3rd Art Of Romance

With the John and Thady Gosden stable in great form, it would be naive to ignore the chances of Original Thinker, though she will need to take a step forward from her Yarmouth third when running on late over this trip. She could still go well, but top-weight MAGICAL MERLIN looked as if he had a bit in hand when scoring over C&D in late August and returns to a track that clearly suits the son of Kodiac. Acai and Dark Trooper are others on an upward curve who could also get involved in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Magical Merlin 2nd Original Thinker 3rd Acai

OBLONG SONG showed a fair level of ability on her first three runs and, although she performed below market expectations at Chelmsford in June, the daughter of Nathaniel could show more back on turf. Dame Ethel Smyth was narrowly denied at Yarmouth last month and she must hold every chance on her handicap debut. Albion Princess and Rikona dead-heated for top honours at Ffos Las in August and both are capable of being involved.
Prediction : 1st Oblong Song 2nd Dame Ethel Smyth 3rd Albion Princess

Denied by the narrowest of margins at Goodwood last month, dual C&D winner CARP KID could gain compensation in an open event having bounced back to form on that occasion. Lebsayer and Swift Tuttle are both unexposed, remain open to improvement, and must be treated with the utmost respect. Beautiful Crown is just 1lb higher than when successful here last August and he is of some interest, especially if the first-time visor has a positive effect.
Prediction : 1st Carp Kid 2nd Lebsayer 3rd Swift Tuttle

Firth Of Clyde sets the standard on what he has shown so far and looks set for another bold bid, but a chance is taken on IRISH FLAME. Clive Cox has enjoyed plenty of success at this venue over the years and the well-related son of Dark Angel could make a winning start to his career. All Are Mine failed to build on a promising debut effort when down the field at Thirsk in July, but arrives having been given a short break and might fare better this time around.
Prediction : 1st Irish Flame 2nd Firth Of Clyde 3rd All Are Mine

The first-time blinkered Broadspear has ability and will no doubt have retained some supporters despite being turned over at odds of 1/16 at Chepstow on his penultimate start, while Follow That Star has also been expensive to follow, but still warrants consideration in a race like this. However, a chance is taken on well-related newcomer IDEE FIXEE, who is a half-brother to Group 3-placed Frankellina and he is capable of making a winning start to his career.
Prediction : 1st Idee Fixee 2nd Broadspear 3rd Follow That Star

BYKER represents a yard with an imperious record at Windsor and this lightly-raced gelding could be worth siding with after an improved effort to finish second at Lingfield on his latest start. This slightly shorter trip could be a key factor to his chance and he is taken to shed the maiden tag at the fifth attempt. Tessy Lad won over C&D on his penultimate start and looks an obvious danger, while Strega De Vega is interesting being stepped up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Byker 2nd Tessy Lad 3rd Strega De Vega