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Usuario looks to be punters' friend at Windsor

Written by Press Association | May 6, 2024 5:37:51 AM

Usuario Amigo massively outran his odds on his debut at the Craven meeting and should be able to open his account in the first division of the Gabby Fullbrook Memorial Novice Stakes at Windsor on Monday.

Beautifully bred, it speaks volumes for the level of race that he began his career in that he was sent off at 80-1.

Up against Frankel's Kingman half-brother Kikkuli and Godolphin's Creative Story, who is closely related to a Group One winner, he was beaten just 0.5-lengths in total.

It should have been no surprise that he possesses plenty of ability though, as his sister Pretty Pollyanna won the Prix Morny.

While she was precocious, though, he was unraced at two and is clearly a late bloomer.

The future looks bright based on his debut run and while Pretty Pollyanna was second in an Irish Guineas, she was better at sprint trips but another sibling, Climate Friendly, stays 2800m so the step up in trip should suit.

Stone Circle should feel the benefit of his seasonal bow as he lines up in the Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap.

Michael Bell's charge was beaten just 0.5-lengths in third off a mark of 75 and he remains on that perch for this 1200m assignment.

He briefly took the lead at Yarmouth, before being edged out again in the dying strides and a similar effort could be good enough.

At Beverley, Brummell can notch a second career success after a very promising return to action at Newcastle.

He managed the almost impossible at Southwell when winning over 1200m from stall 12 and was put up 5lb for his troubles.

Despite hanging on his first run for 144 days, he was only caught close home by a well-backed winner and having had just the one outing on turf to date, there is surely untapped potential there.

The Michael Dods-trained Midnite Runner was only a 12-1 chance in a £150,000 sales race at Newmarket when last seen, coming home 15th of the 22 contenders back in October.

He had previously been an impressive winner at Thirsk in a race that has produced two subsequent victors, with his sales event task looking a tough ask.

He has been given a mark of 76 ahead of the Peter Burne 80th Birthday Handicap and with the yard among the winners, he is worth backing.

Clive Cox's Star Anthem went agonisingly close on his Newbury debut last month behind a potentially nice sort and should make amends in the Reduce Household Bills With The Eco Scheme EBF Maiden Stakes at Bath.

The winner, Richard Hannon's Hawaiian, is viewed as an Ascot juvenile so hopefully there will be nothing of that class here.

Avakate is fit from running in bumpers and set a high standard in the first division of the eventmasters.co.uk Mares' Maiden Hurdle at Warwick.

Bought from Ireland having won at Roscommon for Andrew Slattery, she won on her debut for King at Doncaster in Listed company and ran well enough under a penalty at Market Rasen in February behind Aintree winner Diva Luna.

Peter Bowen has a nice new recruit in the shape of Art Of Diplomacy and he can make a winning start for new connections in the  Racing TV Handicap Hurdle at Kempton. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

BEVERLEY: 1.55 Larchill Lass, 2.30 BRUMMELL (NAP), 3.05 Midnite Runner, 3.40 Gentle Ellen, 4.15 Mister Sox, 4.50 Calcutta Dream, 5.25 Pearl Sands.

WINDSOR: 2.00 Charlie Mason, 2.35 Usuario Amigo, 3.10 Vibrato, 3.45 College Choir, 4.20 Stone Circle, 4.55 Calm Waters, 5.30 On Edge, 6.05 Dubai Immo.

BATH: 2.15 Anglesey Lad, 2.50 Star Anthem, 3.25 Joy Choi, 4.00 Afloat, 4.35 Fleurir, 5.10 Bramble Jelly, 5.45 Andromedas Kingdom.

WARWICK: 2.40 Midnight Gold, 3.15 Avakate, 3.50 Honeybun, 4.25 Fiston De Becon, 5.00 American Gerry, 5.35 Davidoc, 6.05 Prince De Juilley.

KEMPTON: 2.55 Excelero, 3.30 Fasol, 4.05 Quick Draw, 4.40 Art Of Diplomacy, 5.15 Onemorefortheroad, 5.50 Playtogetaway.

ALL TO COME: Brummell (Beverley, Race 2) and Usuario Amigo (Windsor Race 2).