Why this tight-knit handicap could lend itself to an improving mare

Monday: 6.10 Windsor
Fitzdares Sprint Series Fillies’ Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | Sky

This is a tight-knit sprint handicap with a trio of three-year-olds taking on five older rivals.

The key form line could come from a Lingfield 6f fillies’ handicap last September, in which Aramis Grey quickened smartly to beat Tomouh by a neck after enduring a troubled passage.

Tomouh reopposes on 6lb better terms, but Aramis Grey has added to her tally with two more wins since that Surrey success, and looks an improved performer.

Rae Guest’s runner also enjoys a race-fitness advantage over her old rival Tomouh, who is set to make her seasonal reappearance after a winter break of 177 days.

The three-year-old Peggoty has not been seen since last July when she was turned over at odds of 1-4 at Lingfield.

She is better judged on previous Newbury and Bath seconds, but does have something to prove after such a long absence.

It will be a wide open handicap at Windsor on MondayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cuban Breeze has done well since joining David Evans in January, landing 5f all-weather handicaps at Chelmsford and Wolverhampton.

As a result, her mark has soared from 64 to 77 and, while it may be the case that the handicapper is in charge now, there remains the possibility she could raise her game for this step back up to 6f.

After all, she did win over 6f at Wolverhampton as a two-year-old.

Libertine Belle, who makes her first appearance of 2022, did not appear to have anything in hand of a mark of 74 when last seen, but could be open to further improvement this term.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

David Evans, trainer of Cuban Breeze and Fabiosa
Fabiosa could probably do with a bit more ease in the ground, while Cuban Breeze has probably got plenty of weight. Neither of them are drawn the best, but it's a nice race to go for and I hope they'll both run well.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Libertine Belle
It's her first run of the year but she's been training nicely at home and I'm looking forward to racing her. She's capable of winning off her mark, this is a 0-90 race so it's at the top end of what she's capable of, but it's not a big field and we've got Marco [Ghiani] on board who's been in great form.

Marco Ghiani: the in-form jockey will ride Libertine BelleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Harry Dunlop, trainer of Adaay In Asia
We're pleased with her, we brought her back for a pair of all-weather runs in January and February and things didn't quite go right for her at Wolverhampton. She's got some nice form on the turf from last year so we're hopeful of a nice run.

Ed Walker, trainer of Peggoty
She has good form from last year. She didn't enjoy the all-weather last time but should have won at Bath the time before, she never really got a run. She's been training well and this seems like a nice starting point for her – we think she's a well-handicapped filly.
Race reporting by Owen Goulding

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets