Two near misses at Windsor

It was another frustrating evening at Windsor for the Top 40 with Roi De France and Reaching High failing by a short head and half a length in their respective races. The former was making his belated reappearance following an absence of 236 days - he reportedly suffered a setback earlier this year - in the one mile novice stakes. Backed as though defeat was out of the question, the John and Thady Gosden trained runner was given an overly aggressive ride which ultimately cost him victory. Rushed to the front from the outset, the Bjorn Nielsen owned three year old was then taken on for the lead before being collared close home by a stablemate. He remains a promising type but should have shed his maiden tag here.

The King and Queen's Reaching High reportedly made a noise when disappointing at Leicester last time. Fitted a tongue tie in the extended eleven furlongs handicap at the Thames track, he held every chance but couldn't reel in another Gosden runner Lucentio. The pair pulled eleven lengths clear of the remainder. Beaten off a mark of 76, the son of Sea The Stars is worth a try over further and is capable of winning something similar. His wind issue is a concern though.