James Flaherty

Published 9.02 - all selections online

There were very few that stood out for me today in terms of having a bet, but I do think VISUALLY is overpriced in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (7.20) at Windsor this evening, live on Sky Sports Racing.

His recent return to action here showed that he at least retains his ability and he ran well for a long way, despite being keen. I am willing to forgive his finishing effort as a result, and it was his first run in 238 days too. I felt the handicapper was quite generous to drop him 2lbs for that effort.

The selections juvenile form from last season is what really suggests to me that he is well handicapped off a mark of 75. He was a dominant winner on debut at Bath despite showing signs of inexperience, with the filly that chased him home (in receipt of 5lbs) winning her maiden next time before going close in a handicap off 68.

Clive Cox’s gelding was even better on his next start at Wolverhampton. Based on subsequent events, it was an impossible task in trying to give Naana’s Shadow 10lbs as she won at York last month off a mark of 85, having won easily off marks of 72 and 78 previously.

While that filly may have improved since, the pair pulled a long way clear and the fact that the well beaten fourth (also in receipt of 10lbs from Visually) went close off 68 on her next start just a few days later suggests there is substance to that form.

I think both of those juvenile efforts suggest that the selection is capable of better than a mark of 75, with a 5lbs weight-for-age allowance here too. I would expect him to leave his last run well behind and his trainer’s runners are always noteworthy at Windsor, with an excellent 28.57% strike rate here in 2026 thus far.

Rossa Ryan who rode him in his debut success is back on board for the first time since and the pair can hopefully maintain their unbeaten record when combining.