From top hurdler Bula to a Grand National winner: the star horses who have been successful at Windsor over jumps

Jump racing returns to Windsor for the first time in almost two decades on Sunday. Here we pick out six top jumps horses who have graced the turf at the Berkshire track . . .

Baracouda

Top staying hurdler Baracouda was always a popular attraction on his regular visits to Britain and he warmed the Windsor crowd in December 2004 when the track staged the Long Walk Hurdle due to Ascot’s redevelopment.

The Francois Doumen-trained Baracouda, a two-time Stayers’ Hurdle winner, had the assistance of Tony McCoy and was sent off 8-13 favourite but was made to work for his three-quarters of a length success over Crystal D’Ainay in a tactical affair.

Bula

Two-time Champion Hurdle winner Bula kicked off his second season over hurdles with a victory in the Osborne Hurdle at the Berkshire track in 1970, a season that culminated in the first of his two Cheltenham triumphs.

Bula had an up-and-down second season over fences in 1975, but one of his victories came in the Fairlawne Chase at Windsor when he was stepped up to three miles.

Celtic Shot

Celtic Shot defeated Beech Road by six lengths in a cracking New Year's Day Hurdle at Windsor in 1988, with the Fred Winter-trained six-year-old going on to win the Champion Hurdle under Peter Scudamore that season.

Beech Road gained his revenge when landing the Champion Hurdle the following season, with Celtic Shot, who by then was trained by Charlie Brooks, back in third. Celtic Shot had finished last of five when seeking a repeat Listed Windsor win earlier that campaign.

Comedy Of Errors

Comedy Of Errors was another dual Champion Hurdle winner to grace the turf at Windsor in the 1970s.

The Fred Rimell-trained star was successful in the Champion Hurdle in 1973 and 1975 and beat Sea Pigeon in the New Year’s Day Hurdle in 1976 in a campaign that also yielded wins in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell and Templegate Hurdle at Aintree.

Monet's Garden and Tony Dobbin win the 2004 Ascot Hurdle at Windsor on the horse's first start out of novice companyCredit: George Selwyn

Monet’s Garden

A trip south for Nicky Richards’ popular grey paid off when he struck in the Ascot Hurdle staged at Windsor in 2004.

Tony Dobbin’s mount beat Monkerhostin by four lengths but was best known for his chasing exploits, winning two runnings of the Ascot Chase, three editions of the Old Roan Chase and a Melling Chase.

Rhyme 'N' Reason

Grand National winner Rhyme 'N' Reason scored at Windsor on his way to Aintree success in 1988.

David Elsworth’s chaser beat main market rivals Run And Skip and Bolands Cross in the Fairlawne Chase in February before landing the National under Brendan Powell less than two months later.

Read more . . .

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