Today on Sky Sports Racing: Caldwell Potter and Gidleigh Park clash headlines Winter Million intro | Racing news
It’s Berkshire Winter Million weekend! All eyes are on Windsor this afternoon as a host of stars descend on the track, including Caldwell Potter and Gidleigh Park.
1.50 Windsor – feature film Caldwell Potter and Gidleigh Park
Caldwell Potter a comfortable start to life over fences when he scored at Carlisle before finishing third behind Jang Baie at Cheltenham last month. A fluent jumper, he travels as this fall should suit him and looks the one to beat in this Fitzdares lightning chase for the novices.
Gidleigh Park showed useful form over hurdles but was long regarded as a future Harry Fry chaser. He had an irregular heart rate when he retired him to the fencing arch at Kempton and that will tell us more.
You wear it well has yet to match her form over fences, while Personal Ambition would be eligible for second place at Ascot.
3.00 Windsor – Blueking D’Oroux, Langer Dan & Salver title
Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old Blueking D’Oroux he has been good without a win in Graded company and this drop in class and distance may see him close in on Harry Cobden.
Tray he fell last in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and provided no ill effects are felt, he is to be feared in this stiff renewal of the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle.
Kerry Lee Nemean lion is a consistent breed who showed she is still as good as ever when she won the Hereford Handicap before Christmas, while Langer Dan – still under the 160 mark – will have to show more than he did behind Lucky Place at Cheltenham.
3.35 Windsor – Kabral Du Mathan and Navajo Indy battle a valuable handicap
A typically competitive prize money race with Kabral Du Mathan leading the market for Paul Nicholls.
Paul Nicholls’ Cabral Du Mathan he produced a superb effort when narrowly denied at Ascot last time and a brave bid from this 8lb more can be expected.
Navajo Indy arrives in red-hot form, winning his last three starts culminating in an excellent run in the Gerry Fielden Hurdle at Newbury. He was still moving forward and assessing the obvious danger.
Unlucky Eric he enjoyed a successful season winning at Cheltenham before finishing runner-up at the same track and cannot be ruled out despite this step up in the ratings for this Fitzdares Sovereign Hurdle Handicap.
Secret Squirrel, Beat The Bat and Hansard complete the shortlist.
The best of the rest
Elsewhere on the Berkshire card, the Festival is off to a fine start Fitzdares Berkshire Winter Million Novices’ Hurdle. Dan Skelton Honky Tonk Highway could lead the market after the success of the listed company last day, but Excello, Clondaw General and Dameofthecotswolds they will have other ideas. Derryhassen Paddy will be an underdog on the field, but that shouldn’t be overlooked because of Lucinda Russell.
Johnnywho and Bhaloo are headliners among the very open The Fitzdares Limited Handicap Novice Chase at 1.15pm, before Panic Attack sees the end of its ill-fated run in the We bet personally in the Fitzdares Mares Handicap Chase at 2:25 p.m.
in Newcastle, Pop master and Beekeeper check out a selection of runners in today’s feature BetMGM: It’s the Showtime Handicapalthough Dragon icon he could be in the frame for Roger Varian who the latter just beat on his neck in his last outing.
Look out for Karl Burke’s Northern ruler in Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap at 14.25. Clifford Lee kept the ride on Kingman’s colt, who scored a victory over this course and distance last month.
Watch the Berkshire Winter Million live on Sky Sports Racing on January 17, 18 and 19.
