UK Horse Racing Tips: Windsor

Although he appears a better horse over fences with two chase wins to his name, EXCELLO certainly looks more than capable of scoring in novice hurdle company. Nicky Henderson's charge posted a respectable second on his reappearance over timber at Ascot last month and any improvement is likely to make him difficult to beat. Ma Shantou is rated 11lb inferior to the selection, while also conceding 6lb, but is heading in the right direction after an easy victory at Warwick 25 days ago. The five-year-old is feared most, ahead of fellow penalised winner Illegal D'ainay.
Prediction : 1st Excello 2nd Ma Shantou 3rd Illegal Dainay

Helnwein caught the eye on his only start over fences when second at Warwick, where he was produced from off the pace by Tom Cannon to hit the front before weakening close home. He can go well with that run under his belt but Alan King's gelding has to give 1lb to the more experienced TEDLEY, whose jockey claims a further 7lb. Two wins and two seconds over the larger obstacles proves he has the ability and that may be all he needs, while Doc McCoy might be the one to follow them home.
Prediction : 1st Tedley 2nd Helnwein 3rd Doc McCoy

Starcrossed Lover was a promising second in a Punchestown hurdle on his Irish debut before following that up with a bumper third at Downpatrick. He looks interesting ahead of his first start for Neil Mulholland, alongside French Emperor after his close-up third at Lingfield where he was in with every chance. Both can go well, but French import LA PINSONNIERE raced and placed in far better company at home and could make a winning debut for the Nicky Henderson yard judged on that level of performance.
Prediction : 1st La Pinsonniere 2nd French Emperor 3rd Starcrossed Lover

JEFFERY'S CROSS has been absent since finishing second at odds-on in May 2023, but with the Skelton team in such good form it may be worth risking his race fitness as he returns to action off 3lb lower in the handicap. He won a better race at Haydock in April 2023 and a repeat of that may be enough here. Cap Du Nord's last success was off this mark in July and he could go close despite the burden of top-weight, while Ballycamus wasn't beaten far at Warwick and could also go well back up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Jefferys Cross 2nd Cap Du Nord 3rd Ballycamus

ASIAN SPICE stripped fitter for her satisfactory reappearance fourth when winning readily over an extended 2m2f at Exeter last month. Jimmy Frost's mare was well in command on that occasion and she gets the vote to go in again off 6lb higher under Harry Cobden. Little Soiree was outclassed in a Listed race over an extended 2m at Newbury on her seasonal return last month, but she must enter calculations easing in grade on her handicap debut. Bellbird is respected most out of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Asian Spice 2nd Little Soiree 3rd Bellbird

REILLY hasn't been seen since running with credit in fourth over 3m at Kempton in February 2023, but he looks to have been given a chance by the handicapper on his return to the track. Having gone well fresh before, Dan Skelton's charge gets the nod to land the spoils off what appears to be a more than manageable mark. Duhallow Tommy wasn't disgraced when third in a slightly deeper race over an extended 2m3f at Fontwell in October and commands respect eased 1lb with his sights lowered, while Hasthing is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Reilly 2nd Duhallow Tommy 3rd Hasthing

ONEWAYWEST hit the woodwork on both hurdle starts before coming to grief four from home when still in with a shout on his handicap debut over an extended 2m3f at Wetherby last December. Off the same mark, Ben Pauling's unexposed five-year-old is taken to gain a well-deserved breakthrough victory here. Loverdose was last seen finishing runner-up at Chepstow last month and looks the main danger to the selection, despite a 7lb rise in the ratings. Douglas Dc completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Onewaywest 2nd Loverdose 3rd Douglas Dc