CHELMSFORD Racecourse presents another Thursday evening meeting, with a seven-race card consisting of two novice contests, a maiden and four handicaps.
Read below for a preview of the Chelmsford card courtesy of Sporting Life.
The two-year-olds are first up in a seven-furlong novice (6.00). This is a very small field of just four runners and the only one without a previous run is Simon and Ed Crisford’s Enhancer, whose pedigree doesn’t particularly set him apart from the rest, so he is likely best watched for now. By contrast, Charlie Johnston’s Champion Island travels a long way for this race, which is often a good sign. He built on his debut to finish fourth of 11 last time at York and may improve again. Up in trip today, this should be well within reach for the colt, whose yard is having a good time of things at present.
Another two-year-olds’ novice follows, this time over six furlongs (6.30). Akabusi has had to be equipped with blinkers for this, having been very underwhelming so far. It is notable that Oisin Murphy rides Somebody, who placed last time at Newmarket, and connections will be hoping he can improve and get his head in front under the star rider. Jane Of The Jungle displayed some ability last time over course and distance, outrunning huge double figure odds, and has the innermost draw here to take advantage of.
Race three is a five-furlong handicap of seven runners (7.00). Both Cheeky Stanley and Love Rock won their penultimate starts at this track – the latter over this trip – and both can be expected to run solid races again. Love Rock’s draw and running style make her into the more likely of the two candidates, especially given five pounds by the in-form Tommie Jakes.
The fourth race is a confined mile and a quarter maiden for horses aged three and over (7.30). Three newcomers are introduced; Zaaeem, Alfred Spero and Arjwan, and the latter’s pedigree promises plenty; he is a half-brother to the very international Group-level winner smart True Valour. Trainers John and Thady Gosden also have a very strong strike rate of 25% at this track. Arjwan will, however, have to be professional and sharp to win this first time out, and it may be safer to side with an experienced horse who runs prominently, such as The Pouncing Lion, who has been gelded prior to this.
Next is a three-year-olds’ handicap over a mile and a quarter (8.00). Andrew Balding’s Paragon has hit the frame in all his handicap starts so far, and has dropped a pound ahead of today’s step up in trip, so could finally get his head in front here. Penn Avenue might be able to pick up a place under Richard Kingscote, and Herkeios also looks nicely primed for this, but isn’t guaranteed to stay the trip.
The penultimate race is a mile handicap (8.30). Beaming Light has plenty of ability, but will need luck to get the running he needs here. Fortunately, he has the very experienced Richard Kingscote in the saddle to help his cards fall right. Kessaar Power likes this track and remains on a nice, workable mark, so should have every chance and is likely to be involved once again.
Finally, a competitive seven-furlong handicap concludes the evening’s racing (9.00). Mick Appleby’s Queen Of The Roses is sent quite far from home for this race, and displayed some ability on her last two-year-old start, so is of interest on handicap debut with a three-year-old’s weight concession. Course and distance winner Thomas Equinas looks to have a good chance, having come down a pound since last time, and Nubough also looks capable of firing in another win after success over course and distance last time out. It may be between the three of them down to the wire.
Chelmsford selections – Thursday
6.00 – Champion Island
6.30 – Jane Of The Jungle
7.00 – Love Rock
7.30 – The Pouncing Lion
8.00 – Paragon
8.30 – Beaming Light
9.00 – Nubough
