Is Strong Warrior a Group horse lurking in a handicap? Analysis and key quotes for Windsor feature

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this 0-95 handicap concerns an entry held by the Richard Fahey-trained Strong Warrior.

One of two unbeaten sprinters in a ten-strong field, the son of Mehmas remains eligible for Royal Ascot’s Group 1 Commonwealth Cup.

Strong Warrior graduates to handicaps on a mark of 91 following wins in small-field minor events at Ayr and Pontefract, but he made the final declarations for a Newbury Listed event last month and is clearly held in high regard.

Rajaking, winner of his two starts at Chelmsford and Windsor, has been allocated an opening mark 5lb lower than Strong Warrior. It will be interesting to see how they fare.

Three-time scorer So Darn Hot has achieved more than the unbeaten pair but might now be in the grip of the handicapper on a career-high mark of 93.

Wokingham entry King Of Bears, beaten only three lengths in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last August, has been dropped 4lb after Newmarket and York defeats this spring and must enter calculations.

Master Technician produced a career best on his only start at 6f when second to Berkshire Whisper at Newcastle in April. He looks well drawn in stall three under Oisin Murphy.

Mythical Composer and I Maximus add spice to what promises to be a highly competitive sprint handicap — unless, of course, Strong Warrior is a proper Group horse in the making.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Ground and weather

The going was described officially on Sunday as good to firm, good in places and clerk of the course Charlie Rees said: "There's no rain forecast until Tuesday but we've been watering to maintain the ground. 

What they say

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of So Darn Hot
He wasn't at all disgraced last time at Newmarket, although he didn't handle the track that well. He's very uncomplicated, willing and in good form. He's on a high mark and will need to run one of the best races of his career but it's a good spot for him.   

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Strong Warrior
He's very exciting and we hope he can keep progressing. He was pulling up in front at Pontefract last time when he thought he'd won his race and I'm sure there's more to come. He missed Newbury with a little niggle but he's fine now.  

George Scott, trainer of King Of Bears
It's taken a bit of time to work him out. He ran terribly on his first run for us at Newmarket but took a step in the right direction at York, where he was drawn away from the action. He's going to keep progressing and we're looking forward to this run.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Rajaking
He's done nothing wrong in his two races and he's come out of the last one well. It's a strong race and it's hard to tell how good a mark of 86 is. It was a strong enough race last time but it was a novice and we'll find out more now about whether the handicapper has got it right or wrong.  

Rod Millman, trainer of Master Technician
He's a good, tough, professional horse and he's been running well, finishing second on all-weather finals day at Newcastle. He ran over seven furlongs last time and coming back in trip won't be a problem. He's pretty adaptable.

Richard Hughes, trainer of I Maximus
If he jumps out quick he has a great chance. He jumped out like an idiot last time and made up a lot of ground.
Reporting by David Carr

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