Windsor preview: Nisser looks a cut above, punters heard it through Grapevine
David Metcalf | May 9, 2016
Nisser weighted to strike
Nisser can take advantage of what looks a lenient opening handicap mark to make a winning return to action in the 6f contest on this evening’s card at Windsor (18:50).
The Richard Hannon trained colt shaped really when on his racecourse debut at Newmarket when stumbling at the start before showing plenty of pace to chase the leaders and weakening late on to finish a 3 1/2 length third to Shalaa.
Shalaa went on to develop into one of the best juveniles seen last season, winning two Group 2 contests and a brace of Group 1s to be rated 121.
That is very strong form, and Nisser was then far from disgraced next time up when fourth at Ascot before opening his account in terrific style at Lingfield.
The three-year-old ran on strongly to easily beat Dream Destination by 3 3/4 lengths, and the runner-up has won since and finished runner-up in a Group 3 to be rated 95.
Judged on those runs, the assessor looks to have taken a huge chance in allotting Nisser a mark of just 85.
The son of Dream Ahead also remains lightly-raced and unexposed – unlike the vast majority of his rivals – and, if ready to rock at the first time of asking, is going to be very hard to beat.
Grapevine has plenty going for him
In the 1m 2f handicap (18:20), Grapevine can build on promising reappearance run to open his account.
The Charlie Hills trained colt didn’t achieve much in three maiden runs as a juvenile over 7f, but put in a much improved effort on handicap debut when stepped up to this trip and finishing close third to Sark at Doncaster last month.
Grapevine showed plenty of pace to race close up and, after being produced to take up the running at the furlong marker, stuck to the task well when headed deep inside the last to be beaten just 3/4 of a length.
It was a really solid and promising effort, and the runner-up Red Verdon has since come out and won in good style at Chester to give the form a boost.
Although now 2lb higher in the weights, a revised rating of 76 should not be beyond Grapevine and the rise is offset by the 3lb claim of jockey Michael Murphy.
The yard is also back among the winners following a slow start to the season, and everything looks in place for Grapevine to get off the mark.
Selections
17.20: Sea Of Snow
17.50: Sir George Somers
18.20: Grapevine (NB)
18.50: Nisser (NAP)
19.20: Lightning Spear
19.50: Impediment
20.20: Michael’s Mount
Related
There’s more betting tips over on Coral’s horse racing section.
