Today on Sky Sports Racing: Prtoectorat clash with Pic D’orhy on final day of Winter Million Festival | Racing news
A stunning clash between Djelo, Protectorate and Pic D’orhy in the Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor on the final day of the Berkshire Winter Million Festival.
3.05 Windsor – The Deed, the Protectorate and the Pic D’Orhy clash Fleur de Lys Chase
A stellar renewal of this Fleur de Lys Chase feature look at the Ryanair Chase winner Protectorate title the field of eight.
Dan Skelton’s 10-year-old is yet to show his best form this season and, after finishing six lengths behind second Djelo, will need to step forward with a return to the left-handed track as a plus.
Trained by Venetia Williams The work he produced a career-best effort when winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month and looks to be a major danger heading into the race.
Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy took over the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November before missing the Kempton engagement due to bad weather. This seems like an ideal place for him and a bold bid is expected under Harry Cobden.
1.55 Windsor – Matata and Unexpected Party fantasy
Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies Matata will be the best in weights under new pilot JJ Slevin. Determined, he should like this track but will have to defy a career high mark to achieve this Fitzdares Great Park Handicap Chase over two miles.
Big annual winner Unexpected fun falls back into handicap society after being outclassed in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham. He would have every claim to pick his form for the Skelton team.
Others to mention include Paul Nicholls Sans Bruitwhile Harper’s Brook trying to continue his promising Wetherby success.
12.10 Windsor – Jingko Blue leads the field of three
Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old Jingko Blue he produced a superb jumping round when winning a strong novice handicap on his fencing debut at Uttoxeter and this looks a good opportunity for him to go 2-2 in this revamped grade 2 Hampton novice chase.
by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Lowry’s bar has won two of his three starts in the chase and already looks a much better chaser than he was in the hurdler. He will be hoping to use that jumping experience and find out any weakness of the likely favorite from Seven Barrows.
After being declared a non-contender on Friday, Johnnywho will be more at home over this extra distance but will need to jump with more enthusiasm than his recent effort at Ascot.
The best of the rest
Promising Jubilee Alpha goes alongside Harry Derham’s Barrabool in the Fitzdares Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over (12.45pm) over two miles at Windsor, with Bluey also in the mix for Emma Lavelle’s yard.
At 1:20 p.m., Guard duty looks one to watch as he was beaten by only the next slightly weaker time at Lingfield last day. Gavin Sheehan’s brain might be better at this Winter Million handicap beginnersalthough Civil servant could pose a challenge if he returns to his best.
Jipcot will be popular with the Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle punters after his impressive display under Kielan Woods at Newbury, although it would be dangerous to ignore the comebacker Minella projectile.
Internationally speaking, set your alarms to monitor Zac Purton’s continued pursuit of the all-time Hong Kong wins record, currently held by Douglas Whyte. Purton is just three short of the magical milestone of 1,813 successes, and could make history this morning at Sha Tin.
At 7am Purton is driven by the Hong Kong Sprint King Ka Ying on the rise in Group One Centenary Sprint Cupwhich put together eight straight wins for David Hayes. Afterwards, all eyes were on Stewards’ Cup at 8.05 a.m., with James McDonald’s porter Voyage Bubble hot favorite for the £748,000 pot.
