Windsor preview: All systems Go for Sakhee
Trainer Roger Varian does tremendously well with his runners at Windsor, and Go Sakhee can provide him with another success in the 1m 2f feature handicap on this evening’s card at the Berkshire venue (19.20).
The Newmarket handler has a strike rate of 35 per cent at the track in the past 12 months, saddling seven winners from 20 runners.
In Go Sakhee, he has a gelding who showed progressive form last season, landing a handicap over course and distance before going on to follow up in emphatic style at Ripon.
Go Sakhee made all to score by six lengths in the latter and then rounding off the campaign with a solid head second in a decent contest at Sandown.
The son of Sakhee’s Secret was then off the track for 248 days before shaping with plenty of promise on seasonal reappearance at Leicester when third to Sea The Skies.
Go Sakhee shaped as if needing the run, and looks sure to come on a bundle for the outing.
Another plus is that the four-year-old also now gets the services of Ryan Moore in the saddle, as the three-times champion jockey has a 60% strike rate in the last 12 months when teaming up with the stable.
Varian and Moore can complete a double on the card courtesy of Atletico in the 6f maiden (20.20).
The colt shaped with plenty of promise in two runs as a juvenile, finishing runner-up on debut over course and distance before occupying the same position behind Home Of The Brave in a decent 13-runner affair at Newmarket.
Although beaten four lengths in the latter, Atletico stuck to the task well and the winner is a useful sort who has gone on to land the Listed European Handicap before finishing a cracking sixth of 18 to Gleneagles in the 2000 Guineas.
That is ultra-strong form which sets a clear standard in this line-up, and Atletico is a scopey type who should have more to offer as a three-year-old.
In the 6f handicap that closes proceedings (20.50), Explain could prove tough to beat now eased in grade and fitted with the blinkers for the first time.
The Martyn Meade-trained colt landed a 6f handicap at Ayr on his final start of 2014, and kicked off the new campaign with a solid second in a class 4 contest at Bath.
Explain then disappointed last time out when fourth in a similar grade affair, but if the fitting of the headgear has the desired effect the son of Kyllachy would have a huge shout on the pick of his form now dropped back down into class 5 company.
Selections:
18.20: Menai
18.50: Symphony Of Kings
19.20: Go Sakhee (NAP)
19.50: Cartmell Cleave
20.20: Atletico (NB)
20.50: Explain
