Keep it to yourself but Wisper in great form for Windsor on Saturday

June 26

Having seen Wisper move with real zest up the all-weather gallop yesterday, I’ll be interested to see how this seven-year-old mare shapes off bottomweight in the mile and three furlong handicap at Windsor on Saturday.

Wisper, who won six races when trained by Marcus Tregoning, needed her first run for Barbury at Ascot after an absence of seven months, and she duly showed the benefit of that race when belying odds of 28-1 to finish second at Chelmsford four weeks ago.

There was a lot to like about the way in which Wisper stuck to her task in the final furlong at Chelmsford, and stepping up in trip could be just what she needs to renew winning ways. It is more than two years since she last won, but she has been a model of consistency during that period, having been placed no fewer than six times.

Wisper now drops down in class, having run in Grade 4 races the last twice, but she held her own with Class 2 company last year, only just missing the frame in a competitive fillies handicap at Glorious Goodwood and later finishing an excellent third in a similar race at Newmarket.

So dry has the weather been the first three months of the season that Alan has not been able to give his horses any fast work since March, and among  those waiting for the rains to return are Trueshan, who looked in great form on first lot, and dual winner Kurakka, who, like our stable veteran, had to miss his intended target at Royal Ascot, the King George V Handicap, because of the fast ground.

Kurakka is entered in a Heritage handicap at next month’s Newmarket July meeting, while Trueshan, who found things tough last season. having to shoulder a G1 penalty, could well attempt to repeat last year’s win in the Coral Marathon at Sandown on Eclipse day (July 5) in the unlikely event of there being a few thunderstorms over the next week.