Windsor preview: Burning Thread can prove too hot to handle

Trainer David Elsworth does well with his runners at Windsor, and Burning Thread looks weighted to provide him with another winner in the 5f handicap on this evening’s seven-race card at the Berkshire venue (19.25).

The Newmarket handler has a healthy strike rate of 23% at the track in recent seasons, and in Burning Thread has a gelding that is dangerously well handicapped on the pick of his form.

The eight-year-old won six-times when trained by Tim Etherington, with the last of those successes coming in a class 3 handicap at Ayr off a mark of 90.

Burning thread went on to finish a two length third to Kingstgate Native in a conditions’ contest at Beverley off a rating of 88, and is now able to race in this class 4 contest off just 84.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful and Burning Thread comes into the race on the back of two eye-catching runs which suggest he is ready to strike.

In the first of those, the son of Captain Rio finished a highly creditable 4 1/4 length eight of 20 to Desert Law in the class 2 Epsom Dash over 5f.

That form reads well in the context of this contest, and Burning Thread backed up that run with a decent sixth over 6f at Newmarket when showing plenty of early dash to lead until being headed at the two marker.

The drop back 5f over which Burning Thread has notched all six of his career successes is a big plus and, with John Egan in the saddle, this looks a good opportunity for him to get back into the winners’ enclosure.