So Darn Hot wins Fitzdares Sprint in impressive fashion

So Darn Hot won the Fitzdares Sprint series race at Windsor Races. Photo: Helen Edwards

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So Darn Hot lived up to his name at Windsor races on Monday evening, writes Dave Wright. 

The three-year-old, trained by Kevin Philippart De Foy, won the latest qualifying round of the Fitzdares Sprint Series in impressive fashion.

Dropping down a grade after finishing third in a Class 2 race at Newmarket a month ago, the 4/1 shot finished a length and a quarter ahead of 9/4 favourite Strong Warrior.

Winning jockey Jack Mitchell commented: "He did it nicely. He has always shown a good level of form. He has a lovely attitude and can continue to progress."

This was So Darn Hot's third win in five starts since mid-January, two of them having come on Newcastle and Lingfield's all-weather tracks.

The Stan Moore-trained Fleetwater (6/1) won the opening Confined Handicap in the hands of young Joe Leavy, as the three-year-old filly improved on her two previous runs at the course in the past month that saw her finish fourth and third.

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rarely leaves Windsor without a winner and this week was no exception.

He was aboard Paul and Oliver Cole's newcomer American Gulf, who finished more than three lengths ahead of the 13-runner field in the British Stallions Studs Novice Stakes.

"It was a nice beginning," said Murphy. "He is a horse with quality and showed the right attitude."

After two runs on the all-weather, finishing second and third, Cuban Lady (17/2) made a winning start on turf by landing the Fillies' Novice Stakes in the hands of Luke Morris.

Morris went on to complete a double as he rode Trojan Truth (6/1) to victory in the Get Raceday Ready Handicap, making up good ground in the extended 11-furlong handicap after being slow coming out of the stalls.

Trained by Ed de Giles, Trojan Truth had won the corresponding race 12 months ago.

Another to make it two wins at the course was Westridge (9/4) who landed the Fitzdares Telephone Betting Handicap for John and Thady Gosden.

The four-year-old won comfortably with Rob Havlin only having to use his hands and heels to hold off the challenge of his four rivals.

There was a surprise winner to the last race on Monday's card with Walson's Law a comfortable winner at 20/1, beating the well-backed favourite Newfangled by two and a quarter lengths.

Next Monday will also see the launch of the first-ever Royal Windsor Racing Syndicate in conjunction with Old Gold Racing.