3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections, including a horse that should relish conditions at Windsor this afternoon.

Conditions at Windsor are going to be incredibly testing this afternoon but that will not phase Astronomica, who looks to hold solid credentials in her bid to get back to winning ways in the Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap (3.55).

Astronomica has been a model of consistency this season, with two victories and three placings from her five outings. The daughter of Belardo is unbeaten on soft ground in 2023, which includes a snug success on her reappearance over course and distance back in May.

She found the ground too quick when third at Newmarket (July) two starts ago but still emerged with plenty of credit. The form of her Leicester second last time looks solid for the grade with the third-placed horse since finishing a decent runner-up at Yarmouth next time.

A mark of 60 is 6lb higher than when she won at Leicester in July, but she's got her favoured conditions this afternoon and a bold bid is surely on the cards under regular rider George Wood.

Selection: Astronomica – General 7/2

We head to the all-weather for our second selection and the unexposed Soowaih looks like an interesting candidate in the Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Handicap (6.40).

The son of Gleneagles was having his first run after a wind operation when staying on nicely to land a Newcastle novice race cosily earlier in the month. The second home has since produced a good effort to give the form some substance and there should be plenty more improvement from this well-bred colt now entering handicap company.

An opening mark of 75 looks more than workable and with recent Champion Stakes-winning trainer Roger Varian in fine fettle, I'm expecting him to take some stopping from his good draw in stall four.

Selection: Soowaih – General 10/3