Windsor preview: Dominate ready to take command

Dominate can take advantage of a drop in the weights to get back on the winning trail in the 5f handicap at Windsor today (15.50).

The Richard Hannon trained gelding is a three-time winner on the turf, with the last of those successes coming at Chepstow 13 months ago off a rating of 79.

Dominate went on to finish a decent second next-time up off 83, but it’s fair to say that his form has been very hit and miss since.

However, the five-year-old did run well over 6f at this venue four starts back when a three length sixth of 13 to Huntsmans Close in a competitive class 2 contest off 86 and is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off 80.

That is just 1lb higher than when last successful, and gives Dominate major claims from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.

The son of Assertive also comes into the contest having shaped far better than the bare result indicates seven days ago at Chepstow when finishing sixth.

Dominate travelled powerfully for much of the 6f contest before weakening late on, and the drop back to 5f looks sure to suit.

Hannon looks to hold claims of landing a quick-fire double on the card with Silver Quay in the 1m 3f handicap (16.20).

The three-year-old has just one win to his name, and that success came in a handicap at Salisbury last August when scoring by 2 3/4 lengths off a mark of 67.

Silver Quay got whacked up 11lb for that victory, but ran well off his revised mark of 78 when fourth in a class 2 contest at Doncaster.

The gelding also shaped well on seasonal reappearance when fourth of 10 to Resonant in a decent class 4 contest at Goodwood off 80, and is now able to race in this less taxing affair off 74.

That should enable Silver Quay to be very competitive, and the son of Dark Angel has shaped as if returning to form when making in the frame in his last two starts.

In the last of those Silver Quay finished runner-up on soft ground at Goodwood, and a return to a quicker surface this afternoon will definitely be in his favour.

Selections:
13.50: Quick March
14.20: Limonata
14.50: Four On Eight
15.20: Strathearn
15.50: Dominate (NAP)
16.20: Silver Quay (NB)
16.50: Whitchurch
17.20: Secret Bird