Illustrator a sound wager at Windsor

LONDON:  Illustrator looks a good bet to show his rivals a clean pair of heels in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Maiden Stakes at Windsor today.

Sir Michael Stoute’s promising individual holds engagements in York’s Convergent Dante Stakes and the Vodafone Derby. Whether or not he proves up to taking on the best of his generation this year only time will tell. But he has already run with distinction at Group One level so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could develop into a top-class performer. On the last of his three starts as a juvenile, having earlier shown only decent form in maidens, he came a very creditable three-length third to current Derby favourite Brian Boru in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

The son of top sire Sadler’s Wells was held-up in a slowly-run race. Lacking a little room when trying to close on the leaders inside the final quarter-mile, he had to be switched slightly, and could then find only one pace. He was unable to make any real impact thereafter. That was a good effort for a relatively inexperienced colt. Illustrator has done well over the winter and should have little difficulty recording his first success on Monday. Earlier on the card the Michael Bell-trained Red Chief has sound claims in the Tailormade Hospitality Handicap. Barry Hills has his string in top form and the Lambourn trainer can strike with Farewell To Arms in the Totevision Screen Median Auction Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Pontefract. She finished a half-length second to Red Power in the Brocklesby at Doncaster on her debut in March. The winner has won again since the form looks pretty solid. At Hexham, Classical Ben finished an encouraging third to Paddy The Piper on his debut at Catterick in February and would not have to improve too much to take a hand in the finish of his division of the Federation Brewery Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.

SELECTIONS:
WINDSOR: 9.05 Bachelor Of Arts; 9.35 Red Chief; 10.05 Opera Glass; 10.35 ILLUSTRATOR (NAP); 11.05 Let Me Try Again; 11.35 Highly Liquid; 12.05 Jawhari.
PONTEFRACT: 9.15 Farewell To Arms; 9.45 McQueen; 10.15 Bon Ami; 10.45 Jamaican Flight; 11.15 Freeloader; 11.45 Dalblair.
HEXHAM: 9.25 Just For Ger; 9.55 The Grey Dyer; 10.25 Shelu; 10.55 Bengal Boy; 11.25 Ababou; 11.55 Sir Rowland Hill; 12.25 Classical Ben.
DOUBLE: Illustrator and Farewell To Arms.