{"id":11460,"date":"2025-01-15T13:44:55","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T13:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettingsitesreviewed.co.uk\/?p=11460"},"modified":"2025-01-16T19:50:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T19:50:33","slug":"windsor-races-preview-berkshire-winter-million-day-1-17-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettingsitesreviewed.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/01\/15\/windsor-races-preview-berkshire-winter-million-day-1-17-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Windsor Races Preview for 2025 Berkshire Winter Million Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Windsor<\/p>\n

The inaugural Berkshire Winter Million kicks off at Windsor races on Friday, 17 January after the fixture transferred from Lingfield Park. Horse racing fans can get a three-day ticket across the meeting, which also includes entry to the Clarence House Chase card at Ascot on Saturday, for just \u00a340.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our focus here is on the action at nearby Royal Windsor Racecourse, however. The return of jumps racing to the track in this high-profile way can only help launch the meeting with a bang. The Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase is an opening day highlight.<\/p>\n

Later on the card, the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle attracts the biggest field on the ITV Racing broadcast with 14 runners. Supporting races include a mares’ handicap chase and conditions hurdle. With all that and more happening at the start of a busy few days for the sport after the cold snap thawed out, we turn to our experts.<\/p>\n

They look at the racecard, study all the form and prices on horse racing betting sites<\/a> in search of value and winners. Let’s see what they think about the action taking place as this interesting and valuable meeting gets underway. Four of the seven races are live on ITV too.<\/p>\n

Windsor Races Preview for 2025 Berkshire Winter Million Day 1<\/h2>\n

12:40 – 3m Class 2 Novice Hurdle<\/h3>\n

\"Twiston-DaviesThree last time out winners in the field of five and four runners carrying a penalty. In-form mare DAMEOFTHECOTSWOLDS<\/strong> wasn’t stopping when making it three victories in her last four at Doncaster. The fourth has won since, so Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge looks the one to complete her hat-trick here.<\/p>\n

Dameofthecotswolds easily scored over 2m 5f around Ludlow previously and stepping back up in trip promises to suit. While she doesn’t have the full mares’ allowance, she still gets 4lb from\u00a0Clondaw General\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Derryhassen Paddy<\/strong>. Of those, the latter appeals more despite the long trek down from Scotland and Lucinda Russell’s Perthshire yard.<\/p>\n

Clondaw General didn’t stay this trip at local track Cheltenham, so Kim Bailey’s runner has stamina to prove albeit on an easier course. Sandown specialist\u00a0Honky Tonk Highway\u00a0<\/strong>goes markedly up in distance after her Listed 2m success before Christmas.\u00a0Excello\u00a0<\/strong>is just one from six since joining Nicky Henderson, meanwhile, and that came over fences.<\/p>\n

1:15 – 3m 53y Class 3 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase<\/h3>\n

\"HeraklesIt might pay to look at the bottom two in the weights at Windsor races here.\u00a0HERAKLES WESTWOOD <\/strong>is up 7lb for his Newbury success, but Warren Greatrex runners often improve more when tackling fences. He readily accounted for a useful horse in re-opposing fourth Kyntara<\/strong>, who was some 30+ lengths behind in fourth.<\/p>\n

Despite the lengthy round trip, Scottish raider Myretown <\/strong>looks a danger to Herakles Westwood here. Given his Irish Point background and the fact that the Russell yard’s MO is staying chasers, he could also progress in this sphere off just 2lb higher from a small-field Wetherby win.<\/p>\n

Bhaloo\u00a0<\/strong>looked far from a natural when just doing enough over fences at Ascot on his penultimate start, while\u00a0Gericault Roque <\/strong>must belie a racecourse absence of 783 days. Topweight\u00a0Johnnywho <\/strong>and Deafening Silence <\/strong>must put disappointing recent efforts behind them up in trip.<\/p>\n

1:50 – 2m 33y Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase<\/h3>\n