7:28 Windsor
This Class 3 Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap at Windsor over 6f12y on good to firm ground brings together a field of 14 where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top. Mesaafi heads the rankings on 64, just ahead of the progressive three-year-old Regional Rock on 62 and the once-useful Dandana on 60. The numbers suggest a competitive sprint in which course knowledge, draw and the application of first-time headgear on several runners could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious leader in the field the pace shape points to a steadily-run, tactical race in which being handy to the pace should pay. Several principals, including the selection, tend to be held up and produce their efforts late, so the key question is whether the race will develop enough momentum for those coming from off the pace to land a telling blow or whether the race will be won by something that can secure a decent position early.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Mesaafi KTB Selection64/100Mesaafi is a fair performer who has won over this trip three times from 18 attempts and showed his best form when landing a race here from three starts at the t…
- 2Regional Rock62/100Regional Rock is a fair 3-year-old who has shown useful placed form on both starts this year after winning on debut here last season.
- 3Dandana60/100Useful performer who has already won twice at this trip from just five runs.
- 4Willem Twee58/100Fair performer who has been running respectably at this level lately with two solid placed efforts.
- 5Maelstrom58/100Maelstrom is a fair performer who has won three times over today's trip from nine starts and looked useful when landing a pair of handicaps last summer.
- 6Another Abbot55/100Fair performer who has won three times at this trip.
- 7Hucklesbrook54/100Fair performer who has shown bits of form this year but looks held by his recent efforts.
- 8Uncle Don53/100Fair performer who has shown consistent placed form on this track and trip without getting his head in front.
- 9Star Chorus53/100Star Chorus is a fair performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of modest efforts since his last win.
- 10Nad Alshiba Green52/100Fair performer who has been competitive without winning lately and arrives in reasonable form off the back of a third last time.
- 11Brosay51/100Fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Windsor and has scored twice at today's trip.
- 12Sudden Flight50/100Sudden Flight is a fair performer who has been consistent this year, finishing placed on his last three starts including a third here over course and distance.
- 13Ancient State49/100Ancient State is a fair performer with a solid recent record of 225115 and has won on good to firm ground.
- 14Amazonian Dream48/100Modest performer who has won four times at this track from 26 runs and also has six wins from 47 starts at today's trip.
The contenders
Mesaafi KTB Fit 64/100
Mesaafi is a fair performer who has won over this trip three times from 18 attempts and showed his best form when landing a race here from three starts at the track. He steps up from 5f today which asks a fresh question while first-time headgear is also a new factor. The trainer holds a 30% strike rate at Windsor from ten runs. Dropping in class from a low draw of one, the 5-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late. Jack Mitchell takes the ride on ground on which the horse is 1-9, and the KTB Fit Score of 64 makes him the top-rated in the field.
Regional Rock KTB Fit 62/100
Regional Rock is a fair 3-year-old who has shown useful placed form on both starts this year after winning on debut here last season. He has already won at this trip and at this track from his three runs, though the wide draw in stall 12 is far from ideal. The Beckett yard and Rossa Ryan both hold a solid 16% strike rate at Windsor. Stepping up in class having been placed on good to firm, the colt's recent form reads 12-2 and he is only 1lb higher than his latest effort. With a KTB Fit Score of 62 he is the second-highest rated and looks sure to go well if overcoming the draw.
Dandana KTB Fit 60/100
Dandana is a useful performer who has already won twice at this trip from just five runs. The yard know the track well with a solid 22% strike rate here and the horse has obvious course connections through its owners. Recent form has been patchy though and the wide draw in stall 11 is far from ideal on good to firm ground. Dropping in class, the 3-year-old's form figures read 1140-0 and he has no previous course form on record. David Egan rides for the Crisford stable and the KTB Fit Score of 60 keeps him firmly in the picture.
Willem Twee KTB Fit 58/100
Willem Twee is a fair performer who has been running respectably at this level lately with two solid placed efforts. He drops back to his favoured 6f trip where he has won six times from 18 starts and enjoys good to firm ground with two wins from three attempts. First visit to Windsor for both horse and jockey while the trainer's modest 7% strike rate here adds little encouragement. First-time headgear is an unknown. From a low draw of two the 7-year-old has recent form of 0-0933 and a KTB Fit Score of 58; George Bass takes the mount.
Maelstrom KTB Fit 58/100
Maelstrom is a fair performer who has won three times over today's trip from nine starts and looked useful when landing a pair of handicaps last summer. He returns from a break in first-time headgear having shown little spark on his final two runs of 2024. The yard and jockey both hold solid records at Windsor yet this represents a stiff enough task from a wide draw on his first run here. The 4-year-old is 1-2 on good to firm and his form reads 11730-. With a KTB Fit Score of 58, Gina Mangan is aboard for Stuart Williams.
The rest of the field
Another AbbotKTB Fit 55/100
Another Abbot is a fair performer who has won three times at this trip. He has run well on good to firm ground in the past but was well below form on his only previous visit to Windsor. First-time headgear is now tried. KTB Fit 55.
HucklesbrookKTB Fit 54/100
Hucklesbrook is a fair performer who has shown bits of form this year but looks held by his recent efforts. He has won twice on good to firm and three times at this trip from 12 attempts, so the conditions should suit. Trainer has a modest 9% strike rate here from a big sample while the jockey is 3% from 103 rides. KTB Fit 54.
Uncle DonKTB Fit 53/100
Uncle Don is a fair performer who has shown consistent placed form on this track and trip without getting his head in front. Has run well on good to firm ground in the past but his recent efforts have been mixed and he was well held last time. Trainer and jockey both have solid records at Windsor though neither is on fire. KTB Fit 53.
Star ChorusKTB Fit 53/100
Star Chorus is a fair performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of modest efforts since his last win. He has run twice at Windsor without placing and steps up from 5f to a trip he has won over before. First-time headgear is now tried while the trainer and jockey both have modest records at the track. KTB Fit 53.
Nad Alshiba GreenKTB Fit 52/100
Nad Alshiba Green is a fair performer who has been competitive without winning lately and arrives in reasonable form off the back of a third last time. He has run twice at Windsor without placing and is 0-5 at this trip, though he has placed once over it. Trainer Clive Cox has a solid 14% strike rate here from a big sample, while the 3lb claimer is too lightly ridden at the track to judge. KTB Fit 52.
BrosayKTB Fit 51/100
Brosay is a fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Windsor and has scored twice at today's trip. Recent form is poor though and he steps back up from 5f having been well held on his last four starts. First-time headgear is now applied while the trainer's modest record here adds little confidence. KTB Fit 51.
Sudden FlightKTB Fit 50/100
Sudden Flight is a fair performer who has been consistent this year, finishing placed on his last three starts including a third here over course and distance. He has won at this trip in the past though his record on good to firm is modest with just one placing from five runs. First-time headgear is now tried while the yard and jockey both have modest strike rates at Windsor. KTB Fit 50.
Ancient StateKTB Fit 49/100
Ancient State is a fair performer with a solid recent record of 225115 and has won on good to firm ground. He steps up from 5f to 6f today having already won once at the trip, though the wide draw in stall 14 is far from ideal at Windsor. The trainer has yet to strike at the track from seven runs while the jockey operates at a 6% strike rate here. First-time headgear is now applied. KTB Fit 49.
Amazonian DreamKTB Fit 48/100
Amazonian Dream is a modest performer who has won four times at this track from 26 runs and also has six wins from 47 starts at today's trip. Recent form of 357221 shows consistency at this level with two placed efforts in the last three starts, while the first-time headgear is an unknown that could sharpen him up. Rod Millman has a 10% strike rate from 801 runs here and Oisin Murphy takes the ride on ground that has produced four of the horse's wins from 22 attempts. KTB Fit 48.
KTB verdict
Mesaafi is the KTB Selection. A fair performer who has won over this trip three times and showed his best form when successful here, he drops in class from a low draw and is backed by the trainer's excellent 30% strike rate at Windsor from only ten runs. First-time headgear and the step back up to 6f introduce fresh questions, yet the overall KTB Fit Score of 64 and course-winning record give him the strongest profile. Main dangers are Regional Rock, who brings progressive 3-year-old form and a course win but must overcome stall 12, and Dandana, who has winning form at the trip and strong owner connections to the track despite patchy recent efforts and a wide draw. Willem Twee and Maelstrom are next in the Fit Scores and cannot be ruled out if the headgear brings improvement.
KTB Selection Mesaafi
This is the narrative read of the 7:28 Windsor. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Windsor racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won at Windsor previously and steps up in trip today?
Mesaafi has won here from three starts at the track and steps up from 5f today.
Why is the wide draw a concern for Regional Rock and Dandana?
Regional Rock is drawn in stall 12 and Dandana in stall 11; both are far from ideal according to the KTB Intelligence in a steadily-run sprint.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Mesaafi, Willem Twee, Maelstrom, Another Abbot, Star Chorus, Brosay, Sudden Flight, Ancient State and Amazonian Dream are all in first-time headgear.
Who has the best trainer strike rate at Windsor among the principals?
Mesaafi's trainer has a 30% strike rate at Windsor from ten runs, the strongest among the top five.
Which horse has the most course wins at Windsor in the whole field?
Amazonian Dream has won four times at this track from 26 runs.
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