Atletico ready to sprint to victory

ATLETICO has yet to really hit his stride this year but he can come good in the Sky Bet Windsor Sprint Series Handicap at the Thamesside venue.

The five-year-old looked a useful type in two juvenile starts back in 2014 but was then off the track for 11 months, before returning to action the following June.

He won one of his three starts then, before his season came to an end in August, and then he faced another lengthy lay-off, during which Atletico was gelded.

Roger Varian’s charge had plenty of supporters on his return this year at Ripon, finishing a promising third in the Directors Cup last month.

However, he could not follow up at Ascot, finishing fifth in another tricky heat when he was possibly a bit disadvantaged by the draw.

Beaten four lengths, the handicapper has dropped him 1lb and it could be dangerous to write off Atletico in a race like this, especially with Varian going great guns.

Marie Josephe just lost out at this track earlier in the month, but she can regain the winning thread in the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap. Richard Hughes has high hopes for Marie Josephe at Windsor

Out of luck on her first couple of starts, she opened her account for Richard Hughes over 10 furlongs here in June, earning a mark of 76 for her handicap bow.

She went toe to toe with a more experienced rival that day and perhaps she just lacked the know-how for a real battle, eventually going down by a head with the best part of two lengths back to the third.

The handicapper has edged her up 2lb for that effort, but Marie Josephe remains unexposed and could have more progress to come.

Sahreej is an eyecatching raider for Irish handler Adrian Keatley in the Finest Collection Of Racing On Racing UK Handicap at Ayr.

The four-year-old has taken a bit of time to get going, but after a couple of lacklustre early-season efforts, he finished third at the Curragh in June before stepping up again to finish second at that track last time out.

He was stuck out wide when beaten three-quarters of a length and a 1lb rise might not be enough to stop his charge.

Navarone can make it two wins in as many starts at Beverley in the Richard And Carol Hudson Handicap.

He struck gold in a maiden on the Westwood last month but could not follow up at Ayr a couple of weeks later, finishing half a length second behind Lomu.

Navarone was a bit keen which would hardly have helped his chance and a stronger pace would certainly suit.

Bollin Ted won a weak race at the track by seven lengths and probably won’t have to be too good to follow up in the Racing Again Next Tuesday Handicap.