Captaincy to take charge at Windsor

Clive Cox looks to have a strong hand when it comes to the two-year-old division and Captaincy could prove another ace in the Catalyst Finance British EBF Novice Stakes at Windsor on Monday.

The Lambourn handler was on the money with the impressive Orthodox at Royal Ascot after that colt stormed home in the Norfolk Stakes.

But it is the form of Libertango, winner of the Albany Stakes and current 1000 Guineas second-favourite as a result, that points to a big second run after Captaincy finished 4.50-lengths behind George Boughey’s filly at Leicester on debut.

A strict interpretation of that form would have put the Cox runner in about fifth spot in the Albany. It is not such a precise science of course but if anywhere near an indication it looks a cut above that which the ones with a run have managed.

With a normal degree of improvement Captaincy should set a level a good bit higher than most any newcomers can manage first time.

Pontefract stages a decent meeting for a Monday and there could a couple of useful types in the Danny O’Neill Birthday ‘Confined’ Maiden Stakes and none more so than Charlie Johnston’s debutant Camelot Champion.

The Camelot colt is related to some very decent performers with his dam having four 100 plus performers out of her five foals so far including Aidan O’Brien’s top-notcher Luxembourg, Leo De Fury and Sense Of Style.

While he was a relatively cheap yearling at E50,000 if he is anywhere near that sort of level – and the market should give a clue – he could go very close.

Joanna Mason won at the first time of asking on Knicks off a mark of 73 back in May 2024 and although they have been unable to repeat in 11 subsequent outings, the Pontefract Ladies Day Wednesday 5th August Handicap looks to offer their best chance in a while.

The five-year-old is a pretty consistent performer but has still dropped to a mark of 62 and finished sixth under Mason at Thirsk last time. With a more positive ride the gelding could go close.

Richard and Peter Fahey have brought Great Success along steadily in six runs with a handicapping career in mind and, judged on a big step forward at Carlisle on the last of them, he could be ready to land his first contest in the Underwood Memorial Handicap.

The three-year-old still looked a bit of a handful, ducking away as the stalls opened and losing a few lengths hanging in the straight but he stayed on well enough up a stiff finish at the Cumbrian track to suggest with a straighter passage a modest race like this is within his reach.

Slack Alice took her form to another level with a comfortable win at Market Rasen and can take a 7lb rise for that 6.50-lengths win in her stride in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Stratford.

While at Kempton, Saytarr looks sure to appreciate the feel of sand beneath his feet again in the Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Handicap and can land this under top weight.

James Horton’s four-year-old is useful enough on turf but his form on all-weather surfaces is better with form figures of 32116111 and he racked up a hat-trick between January and March, the final win off a mark 5lb lower than he carries here.

Since then he improved again when third at Ascot before seeming to find Sandown beyond him over 1600m. Returned to a quicker and flatter track he can resume his all-weather progression. – Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

STRATFORD: Race 1: 15.10 Sudbury Hill, Race 2: 15.40 Uhtred Ragnarson, Race 3: 16.10 A Little Something, Race 4: 16.40 Slack Alice, Race 5: 17.10 Nickelforce, Race 6: 17.40 Lucy The Wire.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.22 This Moment, Race 2: 15.52 Tickettothestars, Race 3: 16.22 Zighy, Race 4: 16.52 Norfolk Blue, Race 5: 17.22 Port Erin, Race 6: 17.52 Le Morbihan, Race 7: 18.22 Captain Cairney.

PONTEFRACT: Race 1: 15.30 Yermanthere, Race 2: 16.00 Camelot Champion, Race3 :16.30 Take A View, Race 4: 17.00 Selection, Race 5: 17.30 Knicks, Race 6: 18.00 Great Success, Race 7: 18.30 Anificas Beauty.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.45 Angel Of Heaven, Race 2: 19.15 Half A Hoof, Race 3: 19.45 Dream Illusion, Race 4: 20.15 Primal, Race 5: 20.45 Saytarr, Race 6: 21.15 Naval Command, Race 7: 21.45 Balgowan.

WINDSOR: Race 1: 19.00 Tropbien, Race 2: 19.30 CAPTAINCY (NAP), Race 3: 20.00 Regal Envoy, Race 4: 20.30 Happier, Race 5: 21.00 Twisting Physics, Race 6: 21.30 Aim For The Bull, Race 7: 22.00 Mumayaz.

ALL TO COME: Slack Alice (Stratford Race 4) and Captaincy (Windsor Race 2).