Windsor Preview: Lake’s chances are Crystal clear

Crystal Lake looks a worthy favourite to take advantage on a drop in class and get back to winning ways in the 1m handicap at Windsor this evening (7.00).

The Ralph Beckett trained colt was a highly progressive sort in the spring when landing a hat-trick, with the last of those successes coming in a class 4 contest at Kempton off a mark of 81.

The son of Verglas has since gone on to acquit himself with credit in three runs in higher grade contests, including when a solid fifth of 12 to Golden Town in a competitive class 2 handicap at Newmarket of 85.

Crystal Lake now gets into this class 4 affair off 1lb lower, and that gives the three-year-old outstanding claims at the weights now returned to the grade in which he was last successful.

In the 5f handicap (6.30), Come On Dave is the one they all have to beat following a cracking run at Newmarket last time out.

The John Butler trained gelding bounced back to form at headquarters when a two length third of 11 to Pearl Blue in a decent class 3 contest, where he blazed a trail and was clear at halfway before weakening in the closing stages.

The five-year-old now gets into this lower grade class 4 contest off just 1lb higher, and is likely to be tough to peg back if allowed his own way up front.

Amadeus Wolfe Tone has dropped to a tempting mark and looks decent value to take advantage and land the spoils in the 6f handicap (7.30).

The Jamie Osborne trained gelding is a strong travelling sort who got back to winning ways when scoring over course and distance in June off a mark of 82.

The five-year-old now races off just 2lb higher, and that makes the son of Amadeus Wolfe still look on a lenient mark given that he won off 87 last year and has been rated as high 96.

Amadeus Wolfe Tone has also shaped better than his finishing position suggest in his last two starts, and is now reunited with jockey Adam Kirby who was in the saddle when he was last successful.