Journey With Me Aims for Redemption in Fitzdares Fleur De lys Chase at Windsor
This sunday, all eyes will be on Journey With Me as he seeks to reignite his season in the prestigious Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor.The Grade Two winner, trained by Henry de Bromhead, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the John Durkan last month.
De Bromhead remains optimistic, citing a valid reason for the lackluster performance. “He came back a bit sore from the John Durkan. I was disappointed with him on the day, but he got jumped into early on in the race and was sore when he came home for a few days afterwards. He just got struck into,” explained the Waterford-based trainer.As then, Journey With Me has been in “great form,” and de Bromhead believes the two-and-a-half-mile distance at Windsor will suit him perfectly. “Two and a half miles or two-miles-six looks a good distance for him at the moment,” he added.
Another contender to watch is Protektorat, the Ryanair Chase winner trained by Dan Skelton. Skelton is hopeful that the left-handed track at Windsor will play to his horse’s strengths after a disappointing run at Huntingdon. “Protektorat is in really good form, we were always going to come here,” Skelton said.
Reflecting on his recent performances, Skelton noted, “It wasn’t soft enough and he needed it at cheltenham in the Paddy Power, then it was a disaster going right-handed at Huntingdon, which just didn’t work out. he’s a different horse going left-handed. If you look last year, his runs got better and better throughout the season.”
The race will also feature ahoy Senor, trained by Lucinda Russell, and Indiana Dream, making his debut for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill. Though, Paul Nicholls’ Grade One winner Pic D’Orhy will be a notable absentee.
With a £165,000 guaranteed prize pool, the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase promises to be a thrilling event.Though,the meeting will undergo a precautionary inspection at 7.30am due to “variations in forecast” overnight.
| Key Contenders | Trainer | Recent Form |
|————————–|———————-|————————————-|
| Journey With Me | Henry de Bromhead | 6th in John Durkan |
| Protektorat | Dan Skelton | 2nd in last year’s race at Lingfield|
| Ahoy Senor | Lucinda Russell | 362-3P form |
| Indiana Dream | Jonjo and AJ O’Neill | First start for new stable |
As the Berkshire Winter Million meeting concludes, this race is set to be a highlight. Will journey With Me reclaim his winning form, or will Protektorat dominate the left-handed track? Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
Journey with Me vs. Protektorat: Expert Insights on the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase Showdown
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As the berkshire Winter Million meeting reaches its climax, all eyes are on the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor. With top contenders like Journey With Me and Protektorat vying for glory, we sat down with racing analyst James Harrington to break down the key factors that could decide this thrilling race.
Journey With Me: Can He Bounce Back?
James, Journey With Me had a tough outing in the John Durkan last month. What’s your take on his chances of redemption at Windsor?
Absolutely,it’s a big question mark. Henry de Bromhead has been candid about the issues Journey With Me faced after the john Durkan. He got struck into early in the race, wich left him sore and unable to perform at his best. Though, de Bromhead has reported that the horse is in great form now, and the two-and-a-half-mile distance at Windsor should suit him perfectly. If he can avoid early trouble, I think he’s a strong contender to reclaim his winning form.
Protektorat: A Left-Handed Advantage?
Dan Skelton’s Protektorat has shown a preference for left-handed tracks. How significant is this factor at Windsor?
It’s a huge factor. Protektorat is a completely different horse on left-handed tracks, as we saw last season. His performance at Huntingdon, where he struggled on a right-handed course, was a stark contrast to his dominant displays on left-handed tracks like Cheltenham.Windsor’s layout should play right into his strengths, and if the ground conditions are favorable, I’d expect him to be a major threat.
Ahoy Senor and Indiana Dream: Dark Horses?
What about the other contenders, like Ahoy Senor and indiana Dream? Do they have a realistic shot?
Both horses bring captivating dynamics to the race. Ahoy Senor has shown flashes of brilliance, but his form has been inconsistent. Lucinda Russell will need him to deliver his best to compete with the likes of Journey With Me and Protektorat. As for Indiana Dream, this is his first start for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, so there’s an element of the unknown. If he adapts well to his new stable, he could surprise a few people, but it’s a big ask against such seasoned competitors.
Weather and Ground Conditions
the meeting is set for a precautionary inspection due to weather concerns. How might this impact the race?
Weather is always a wildcard in horse racing. If the ground softens substantially, it could favor horses with stamina and a proven record in testing conditions. Journey With Me has shown he can handle softer ground, while Protektorat prefers it on the firmer side. If the conditions change dramatically overnight, it could shake up the odds and give an edge to some of the less-fancied runners.
Final Predictions
Who’s your pick to win the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase?
It’s a tough call, but I’d lean slightly toward Protektorat if the ground stays as was to be expected.His affinity for left-handed tracks and his strong form at the end of last season make him a formidable opponent. That said, Journey With Me is a class act, and if he’s fully recovered from his setback, he could easily turn the tables. either way, it’s going to be a race to remember!
