/ Editor / 24 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

With several hard-to-win with Fillies in the opening race on Monday's Windsor card, it may pay to take a chance with the Walter Swinburn-trained Etain at 18:40.

The daughter of Alhaarth looks the least exposed of the runners, and makes her Handicap debut here after three fair efforts in Maiden company.

The three-year-old was last seen out at Goodwood earlier this month, finishing not too far behind Passing Hour over a mile, and Betfair backers that day would have put her in to the notebooks with the impression that two furlongs extra would really suit.

Her pedigree suggests she will easily get this trip, and it will be no surprise to see strong support for her in the market.

Meanwhile the layers will undoubtedly be interested in Paul Cole's filly Summer Of Love, who appears to be a horse without a trip at the moment.

Although her best run has come over today's distance (when third at Lingfield behind Graceful Steps), it may well be a case that the daughter of Fasiliyev will keep finding one or two better.

The Whatcombe raider is fairly consistent, and has run to a fair level of form with efforts at Bath and Brighton, but a record of nine runs without a win leaves her vulnerable, and the market may show layers preparing to take her on.

The Mark Tompkins-trained Rowan River is another with a similar profile to that of Summer Of Love, and is capable of running to a consistent level of ability.

The three-year-old has put in good efforts in her last three outings, and was a bit unlucky last time out at Sandown, when the long finish caught her out and was swallowed up late on by Starparty.

She runs off the same mark of 67 today, and looks a strong place option if replicating the same level here. The trip and ground represent no problems either and she should be there or thereabouts.

Andrew Balding will no doubt be celebrating his latest Royal Ascot success, and the trainer will be hoping for a good run from another debutante in Handicap company in the shape of Driving Miss Suzie.

The daughter of Diktat is taking a drop in trip today after her second behind Set The Scene in a Brighton Maiden over a mile-and-a-half. The fact she finished ahead of a 73-rated rival that day will almost certainly put her into the equation here.

Meanwhile Michael Bell's stable are in good order at the present, and Spritza will be looking to improve on her latest run at Newcastle earlier this month. A previous second at Newcastle would give her possibilities, but she has had enough chances and appears to be ordinary.

Bilboa to fight for place at Windsor

The second race on Windsor's Monday card (19:10) is an extremely difficult race which throws open a number of questions for both backers and layers.

As is always the case with Maiden contests, it will be worth noting any market support as several have failed to sparkle in their first outings.

Richard Hannon, a trainer in form and a man to be feared at Windsor, saddles two here and his best chance on paper appears to be Farthermost.

The two-year son of Fath made a pleasing enough debut at Goodwood in his only outing to date, and caught the eye with a staying-on fifth behind Dubai Dynamo.

Although he was outpaced at the start, he stayed on nicely to suggest a further step up in distance would suit and is related to several juvenile winners and is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Hannon also saddles Synge Street who has a speedier pedigree than his stablemate, being a half-brother to Pivotal Guest.

The Medicean colt was well backed on his debut at Goodwood over six furlongs, but disappointed behind Sofia's Star when finishing well down the field. The form of that race has not worked out at all though.

He is clearly capable of much better and will be one to keep an eye on in the market to see if the backers believe he will fare better.

However, one that could trade at a bigger price is Rod Millman's Bilboa, and he could be an interesting proposition for place players.

The son of Averti did not pull up any trees at Bath on debut, beaten twelve lengths into seventh by Spanish Bounty. But looking closely at the race, he completely ruined his chance by hanging badly and will surely improve for that run.

With the stable going great guns, and the assistance of the excellent Jim Crowley, he could be a bigger priced answer in a race which appears to have no superstars.

L'art Du Silence is one with the benefit of two runs, and has shaped well behind some fair sorts in two maidens and perhaps looks the safest bet on the win market.

His fourth behind Regal Rhythm sets a good standard and the form of that race has worked out extremely well. The son of Xaar also shaped well on his latest appearance at Lingfield and is likely to start off favourite judged on those two runs.

Fantastic Morning set for fantastic evening

Chepstow are not renowned for their competitive Maidens, but the second race on their Monday evening card (19:20) looks to be an extremely interesting contest.

Mark Johnston again enjoyed another successful Royal Ascot, and the Middleham master
will look to Fantastic Morning to get off the mark here at the third time of asking.

With the stables juveniles still not hitting form, the three-year-olds have fared better, and this ex-Godolphin inmate looks the likely winner albeit at a short price.

With two runs under his belt, both at shorter distances, the beautifully bred son of Fantastic Light ran well in defeat behind the costly Jalil at Ripon, with the fourth (Go But Go) - who was beaten 14 lengths that day - franking the form by winning well at Hamilton recently.

With that form, and considerable improvement expected at today's trip which will really suit, it is extremely difficult not to side with Fantastic Morning.

One live contender appears to be Tropical Strait - who could be anything judged on his
second to Howard Johnson's Marleybow in a Bumper at Haydock.

David Arbuthnot's runner shaped really well that day, beaten by five lengths, and clearly has bags of stamina, which is sure to be tested on the softer ground at Chepstow.

Henry Cecil saddles the beautifully bred Elounda here, and she is surely better than her two disappointing runs so far.

The Sinndar filly finished mid-division on her debut behind Measured Tempo last season, in a fairly warm looking Newmarket contest. However, she really disappointed on her seasonal reappearance at Notthingham when finishing nearer last than first, although firmer ground may well have been against her that day.

She could enjoy the softer going here, but is hard to fancy on the two runs to date.

Sylvester Kirk saddles Mercury Blue, who is a filly who will really appreciate this slower ground this evening.

The daughter of Montjeu did not see a racecourse when with Kevin Prendergast in Ireland, but certainly has a bit of ability having run second behind Fretwork at Salisbury.

The form of that race has not worked out at all, and her latest effort when last at Brighton
over seven furlongs raises too many question marks here.