Windsor Preview: The Alamo primed for muddy battle

With the ground at Windsor heavy after the course survived an early morning inspection the ability to handle testing conditions is a must and that makes The Alamo the one to beat in the 1m 2f handicap (5.10).

The Richard Hannon trained gelding was a dual winner over a mile at the track last season, with the last of those successes coming on heavy ground off a mark of 74 where he showed tremendous battling qualities to beat Midnight Rambler by 1 1/2 lengths.

The Alamo went on to finish a solid third on seasonal reappearance in a 1m 2f handicap on soft ground at Salisbuy off 79, and after disappointing on fast ground at Newamrket bounced right back last time out when an eye-catching fourth of 12 to Starwatch on good-to-soft going at Newbury.

The son of High Chaparral kept on well to be beaten 3 1/2 lengths without quite ever threatening to land a blow, and is entitled to come on for the run – his first in 125 days.

The Alamo is also on a handy mark off just 3lb higher than when last successful, and with Richard Hughes in the saddle everything looks in place for a huge run.

Kinglami is another who loves soft ground and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 6f handicap (4.10).

The Brian Gubby trained gelding last scored in testing conditions over course and distance in August 2013 when winning easing down by 2 1/4 lengths from Asphan Sam off a mark of 74.

Kinglami also ran really well over course and distance when a neck runner-up to Links Drive Lady off 79 on seasonal reappearance, and posted a cracking effort three starts back over 6f at Ascot when running on strongly to finish a never nearer three length seventh of 19 to Barnet Fair in a competitive class 2 contest off the same rating.

The handicapper has since dropped the five-year-old 4lb following a couple of below par efforts, and that means that Kinglami is now just 1lb above his last winning mark.

It gives the son of Kingsalsa every chance from a handicapping perspective in this class 4 contest, especially now returned to the scene of his last success.

In the 1m handicap (4.40), the mud-loving Tullia is weighted to go well if responding positively to the fitting of the blinkers for the first time.