UK Horse Racing Tips: Windsor

JINGKO BLUE was a useful novice hurdler last season, with his only real blip coming when pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival, and he kicked off his chasing career in sparkling fashion when bolting up at Uttoxeter. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old looks set to relish a step up to three miles and is very much the one to beat. Lowry's Bar is on an upward curve too, though. He might be best placed to put it up to the selection because Johnnywho's jumping let him down when sent off favourite for an Ascot Grade 2.
Prediction : 1st Jingko Blue 2nd Lowrys Bar 3rd Johnnywho

Bluey impressed when making all at Wincanton on Boxing Day and she could be involved with further progress on the cards, but preference is for JUBILEE ALPHA. Paul Nicholls' mare has a penalty to shoulder having recorded a comfortable Listed triumph at Taunton recently, but the progressive six-year-old might be up to the task. Market support for Khrisma would heighten interest, although Siog Geal might be a bigger threat today.
Prediction : 1st Jubilee Alpha 2nd Bluey 3rd Siog Geal

ONEWAYWEST caught the eye when staying on from well off the pace to fill the runner-up spot over C&D on his reappearance, getting closest to a progressive winner. Ben Pauling's six-year-old looks set to improve and, despite a 4lb rise, is taken to go one place better. Hartington struck the crossbar in a Listed contest at Sandown and merits respect on his handicap bow, as does Reallyntruthfully, who impressed when landing a maiden hurdle at Warwick.
Prediction : 1st Onewaywest 2nd Hartington 3rd Reallyntruthfully

Another bold bid is expected from Matata following his latest second at Kelso, with the seven-year-old appearing to be a lot more tractable compared to his novice season. The mercurial Harper's Brook may well go very close if repeating the form of his Castleford success at Wetherby, with the track expected to suit, but a chance is given to SANS BRUIT. Last season's Red Rum winner went off far too quickly at Kempton over Christmas and an ease in grade on softer ground may see him bounce back.
Prediction : 1st Sans Bruit 2nd Harpers Brook 3rd Matata

Gwennie May Boy progressed at a rapid rate of knots last season, culminating at Aintree in the spring with a dominant performance. Having fallen early on at Haydock on his reappearance, he may well have just needed his subsequent outing when third at Carlisle and it wouldn't be a surprise if he had more to come. The returning Minella Missile is a fascinating contender on his handicap debut, while stepping up in trip is an interesting move for Samuel Spade. PUSH THE BUTTON was pulled up in the aforementioned Haydock contest but he appeared to have valid excuses on that occasion and he remains with potential, especially in first-time cheekpieces, so gets the nod.
Prediction : 1st Push The Button 2nd Gwennie May Boy 3rd Minella Missile

Protektorat is building up towards a defence of his Ryanair crown at Cheltenham and clearly needed his return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before finding Huntingdon too sharp when chasing home DJELO in the Peterborough Chase. However, Dan Skelton's charge will need to be close to his peak to stop a rival who produced a career-best display and has the scope for further improvement. The step up in trip is a slight unknown, but the tight nature of the track should be in his favour. Pic D'Orhy was unable to run at Kempton last week and adds further spice along with Ahoy Senor, who could be very dangerous in receipt of 8lb, and Indiana Dream.
Prediction : 1st Djelo 2nd Protektorat 3rd Pic DOrhy

ART DECCO offered plenty of encouragement when touched off on his seasonal debut at Exeter. Robert Walford's charge is now 5lb higher, but drew 16 lengths clear of the third and compensation may beckon. The lightly-raced Fortunate Man arrives on the back of his first triumph in this discipline at Aintree and, up in distance, he's feared most. Regatta De Blanc is another who might find improvement now faced with a stiffer test and also enters calculations.
Prediction : 1st Art Decco 2nd Fortunate Man 3rd Regatta De Blanc

Plenty of future prospects on show and a tentative vote is for debut winner EL CAIROS. The son of No Risk At All impressed with his turn of foot when drawing clear of his rivals in the closing stages at Newbury in November and he looks capable of successfully shouldering a 4lb penalty. Supreme Malinas landed a Listed mares' bumper at Huntingdon last month and she may serve the most resistance to the selection, ahead of Southwell scorer One Knight.
Prediction : 1st El Cairos 2nd Supreme Malinas 3rd One Knight