Richard Birch's play of the day at Windsor

Antiphon

8.05 Windsor
1pt win

It's the return to Windsor of 57-rated Antiphon in the 5f handicap (8.05) which really gets my punting juices flowing on Monday.

Pigeonholed by many pundits as something of a Windsor specialist, that seems slightly unfair as he has also scored at Brighton and Chelmsford and finished a 33-1 fourth in the valuable Epsom Dash on Derby Day last year. 

However, it is true that Antiphon tends to raise his game on his visits to Windsor, where he has won three times – including in this race last year – and finished second on five occasions.

Antiphon was officially rated 72 when he justified 85-40 favouritism under Tom Marquand 12 months ago, beating Mary Of Modena by a neck.

The fact he is now 15lb lower is the consequence of a sequence of below-par performances since the end of July, when he chased home Strike here on good to firm ground.

His last four runs have been on the all-weather, which he does not appear to enjoy as much as turf – the most recent over seven furlongs, which taxes his stamina – and it is highly likely connections have been aiming at this Windsor race for some time.

Marquand, who has ridden Antiphon only once since teaming up successfully with him in this contest in 2024, is back in the saddle, and a return to winning ways looks very much on the cards.

If the six-year-old retains just 90 per cent of the ability he showed during his peak runs last year, he will surely run this field ragged off a career-low mark from an excellent draw in stall three. Do not miss out.

Antiphon20:05 Windsor

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: Michael Keady

Racing Post+ subscribers can read more of Richard Birch's tipping here:

'He will surely run this field ragged off a career-low mark' - Richard Birch bids to follow up last Monday's winner   

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