Will Bell Shot prove too good in Windsor Sprint Series qualifier?

Monday: 7.05 Windsor
Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (Windsor Sprint Series qualifier) | 6f | 3yo+ | Sky

Progressive three-year-olds often come to the fore at this time of year in all-age handicaps and Bell Shot fits the bill in this event.

The Charlie Hills-trained runner, who drops in trip after winning over 7f off a 2lb lower mark last month, travelled strongly through that race and could be even better as a sprinter.

This will be only his third start in a handicap and it’s highly likely the best is still to come.

Being berthed in stall six may not prove ideal, but he has the assistance of William Buick to counter any possible disadvantage of being drawn away from the favoured stands’ rail.

Rod Millman: in fine form and runs recent Bath winner Amazonian DreamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fellow three-year-old Amazonian Dream, who races from stall two, won on fast ground for the bang-in-form Rod Millman at Bath last time.

However, he was beaten six and a quarter lengths by Lequinto over this course and distance last month, and reopposes on just 1lb better terms.

Lequinto, a winner of five handicaps since joining Tony Carroll two years ago, now races off a career-high mark of 88, and may prove vulnerable to one of the less exposed types.

King Of Jungle, who won a 6f handicap at Nottingham off 6lb lower in May, failed to reproduce that sort of form on his sole subsequent start at Kempton.

He won a maiden at the Sunbury track first time out in February, so the all-weather surface can’t be given as an excuse.

If he merely had an off night, there must be a significant chance he will bounce back to form at potentially quite decent odds.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Tony Carroll, trainer of Lequinto
He won well over course and distance last time and clearly enjoyed the drop back in trip. While this looks a tough race, I hope he can run well.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Zim Baby
The ground may be quicker than she wants as she normally wants it softer, but she should run well. She's already won over course and distance this season but the ground is concerning us.

John Spearing, trainer of A Sure Welcome
He usually runs really well at Windsor and it's the place where he's run the most on turf. He was brave over this track and trip last time and I think he will run well.

Conrad Allen, trainer of Impeach
He had to have a stalls test recently as he reared up at Brighton last time and wasn't allowed to run. It doesn't really concern me he's going back to turf as I ran him on it at Yarmouth last year, but I ran him over the wrong trip and was still learning about him.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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