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Horse Racing

Time is right for Just An Hour

September 2025

Just An Hour has already won at Windsor this season and can strike gold at the Berkshire circuit for a second time in the Windsor Oktoberfest Handicap on Monday.

The five-year-old is enjoying a fine season with three victories overall, the most recent coming at this track in mid-July.

He has continued in fine form since, filling the runner-up spot at Newmarket before finishing fourth in a typically competitive Racing League event here two and a half weeks ago, beaten only two lengths.

Just An Hour looked slightly tapped for toe over 2000m on quick ground that day, so this return to almost 2400m looks a wise move, while Oisin Murphy returning to the saddle for the first time since his latest win can only be a positive.

It is not too difficult to make a strong case for Rage Of Thunder in the Bugler Group Handicap.

Gary and Josh Moore's sprinter won comfortably off a mark of 62 at Salisbury in early June and was unlucky not to follow up at Newbury the following month after missing the break and then encountering trouble in running on his way to a neck defeat.

A slow start again put him on the back foot when second on his Windsor debut last time out, but if he can sort that side of his game out he is well enough handicapped to add to his tally.

Brian Meehan's Lodge has been found a good opportunity where she can defy a penalty in the Hamish Johnson Memorial Fillies' Novice Stakes.

Unraced at two, she was declared to make her debut in April but was a non-runner and did not actually make it to the track until earlier this month.

Sent to Ffos Las, she barely broke sweat in winning by over two lengths, justifying favouritism so they knew what they had.

Given she still looked green on that initial run, there is every chance she can improve further.

Richard Fahey's Lunar Melody only cost 55,000 guineas as a yearling yet her price shot up to E500,000 a few months later at the Arqana Breeze-Ups.

As he tends to do with breezers, Fahey has given her plenty of time and she rates of definite interest in the PricedUp EBF Novice Stakes at Carlisle.

Fahey has not had a good season with his juveniles, nothing like what he is accustomed to anyway, but a first time out winner at Ripon last week and an entry in the Cheveley Park for this one means Lunar Melody is certainly worth a look in the market.

Ice Sovereigns should prove better than a mark of 81 in the PricedUp Pushes Nursery Handicap.

Fourth of eight on debut at Newmarket, she then ran well at Glorious Goodwood in testing ground to be third of 13.

She outclassed her opposition at Carlisle last time out, as she was entitled to do, and while a Fillies' Mile entry looks fanciful, she can continue to progress.

The best bet on a low-key card at Brighton is London Is Blue, who bids to make it two course and distance wins in a fortnight in the Download The At The Races App Nursery Handicap. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 15.00 Poetic Force, Race 2: 15.30 Lunar Melody, Race 3: 16.00 Lord Roxby, Race 4: 16.30 Canaria Queen, Race 5: 17.05 Ice Sovereigns, Race 6: 17.37 Red Mirage, Race 7: 18.07 Milteye, Race 8: 18.37 Sweet Kiss.

BRIGHTON: Race 1: 15.15 Pop Dancer, Race 2: 15.45 London Is Blue, Race 3: 16.15 Ironwill, Race 4: 16.50 You Are Everything, Race 5: 17.20 Night Bear, Race 6: 17.52 Headshot, Race 7: 18.22 Toussarok.

WINDSOR: Race 1: 17.30 Flying Comet, Race 2: 18.00 Lodge, Race 3: 18.30 Baltic Fleet, Race 4: 19.00 JUST AN HOUR (NAP), Race 5: 19.30 Rage Of Thunder, Race 6: 20.00 Arf's Duchess, Race 7: 20.30 Versailles Prince.

DOUBLE: Just An Hour and Rage Of Thunder (Windsor, Races 4 and 5)

 

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