Windsor and the surrounding area
Windsor is a town in Berkshire, about 20 miles west of Central London. The most notable feature of Windsor is the castle which is one of the official residences of HM Queen Elizabeth II and her family and is the largest occupied castle in the world. The town is steeped in the history of the royal family dating at least as far back as Henry I. Windsor sits on the south of the River Thames, which itself forms the border between Windsor and the town of Eton.
There’s plenty to do in Windsor:
Windsor Castle – https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle
St John the Baptist – http://www.windsorparishchurch.org.uk/
St. George’s Chapel – https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/
Theatre Royal Windsor – http://www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/index.php
Windsor & Eton Brewery – https://www.webrew.co.uk/
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort – https://www.legoland.co.uk/
There are lots of private tours of the castle available. There are also various river cruises available. The shopping area is quite big and modern, Peasecod Street being the main area. There are lots of gift shops and restaurants and bars, particularly near the castle.
The Racecourse
Royal Windsor hosts only flat racing.
The racecourse is a figure of eight shape of just over a mile and a half in length with a run in of 5f. The course is just about perfectly flat with tight bends. The length of the run in though does ensure that the galloping types aren’t too inconvenienced. In races of 12f+, the runners have to go both right-handed and left-handed.
The draw bias is towards those drawn high in sprint races in soft ground. There seems little or no bias when good or firm conditions prevail.
Clerk of the course is currently Eloise Quayle
Course telephone number: 01753 498400
Getting Here
Windsor is 20 miles from Central London, 115 miles from Birmingham, 97 miles from Bristol and 20 miles from Reading. The town sits quite close to the M4 Junction 6. Follow the signs through town for the racecourse. The racecourse is situated on the A308 Maidenhead Road. The post code is SL4 5JJ.
Beware: There are also similar signs for Ascot Racecourse so make sure you follow the right one.
Parking is free.
Racecourse facilities
Course website: https://www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk/
Disabled access : https://www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk/plan-your-visit/venue-accessibility-and-parking/
There are three enclosures at Windsor, The Club Enclosure, The Grandstand and The Silver Ring. The racecourse encourage smart casual dress in the Premier Enclosure. The food and drink available is very good based on what I saw today. There are plenty of outlets in the first two named enclosures to suit every taste. There are also ‘sit down’ restaurants available in both the Club and Grandstand enclosures.
Viewing at the course is very good and helped further by the flatness of the course. There are of course big screens too.
My Day Today
Not been here for quite a while and had forgotten what a decent atmosphere you get on Monday nights at Windsor. There was a pop up casino here and an Elvis night laid on for after racing. I was long gone by then. I paid £29 into the Club Enclosure.
I stuffed my face in Zizzi in town at lunchtime so was in no need of anything on offer. Maybe I should have waited as there was quite a variety on offer.
I struggled a bit with the racing tonight but took an interest in two races.
In the opener, a handicap over 10f, I was convinced that ‘The Jean Genie’ would lead and when she didn’t I thought her chance was gone. She wasn’t too slow away and was just tucked away behind the leaders. She began her challenge 2f out and got upsides the leader 1f out but was held from there. Not sure why she didn’t do it from the front as in recent races. Perhaps a better form student than I can enlighten me.
My only other bet came in the fourth race, a sprint handicap. I read with interest the comments of @genuinetriers on twitter. ‘Madame Bounty’ needed to lead and with the help of the plum draw next to the rail would have been very difficult to pass. As it was, she reared at the start and couldn’t lead. She did chase the winner from 1f out but was always being held. I backed her each way at 11/2 early on and made a small profit on the race and nearly covering my loss on the first.
I couldn’t get excited about any of the other races on the card. I just couldn’t make any sense of them. I did stay to watch the fifth race and was quite impressed with how ‘Life On Earth’ went about winning. Having made most of the running, she was challenged not long into the straight by ‘Last Enchantment’ who came upside until 2f out. Challenged quickly by ‘Vampish’ 1f out, ‘Life on Earth again’ asserted and kept on well inside the final furlong. Another winner for the in form W Haggas stable and I fancy she could go in again.
So a tiny loss to take home, I left after the fifth. A long drive home with a dodgy exhaust and one diversion after another wasn’t great but I made it.
I recommend Windsor on a Monday night, it’s a really good atmosphere and a nice friendly course.
Lets see where else the week takes me. I will try and stay local, I’m sick of driving. Train to Chester on Saturday methinks!!
Leave A Comment