It was a successful start to Mondays at Windsor as we took four runners to the Berkshire venue and came home with a first, second and third in the rain softened ground.
SIR RODERIC had showed plenty of ability in his maidens at Windsor and Leicester but was slightly disappointing on his nursery debut in soft ground where he could never get involved. Although we knew he had progressed through the winter, we were concerned whether soft ground might be his downfall. However, he has sharpened up mentally and always travelled well in behind the leaders and never really had to be asked a question to record an impressive victory. We are hoping he can progress through the ranks and the valuable Silver Bowl at Haydock is a possible target if he wins again.
HANDYTALK won on debut at the corresponding fixture last year and showed very useful early season form before developing pleurisy and nearly dying in June. He took a while to recover and wasn’t the same horse in the autumn. However, a long winter break has given him plenty of time to recover and he ran a solid race to finish second in the six furlong handicap. He will improve for the run and should give his owners plenty of fun this season.
APACHE SONG shaped with promise when fourth on her only run last year and she has strengthened up nicely from two to three and loved the soft ground to belie her odds of 50/1 to finish third in a competitive maiden. She will improve again and there are races to be won with her.