IT’S time for more all-weather action at Chelmsford Racecourse, which hosts an eight-race meeting on Thursday evening, complete with six handicaps and two novice races.
Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Chelmsford card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest Leopardstown Festival odds.
We begin with a nursery handicap run over a mile and two furlongs (4.45). Of the six runners, two won their last starts; Captain Cairney, who won over course and distance last time, and Time For Action, who carries a six-pound penalty having won at Bath last week. He gets most of this weight back from his claiming rider, but Captain Cairney looks capable of winning again in this company from stall one.
Next is a six-furlong nursery handicap (5.15). William Knight’s Beach Partee was most recently seen winning at this track over five furlongs and finds himself now at a six-pound higher mark, so it looks better to opt for others. Charlie Fellowes’ Ladiapur could be good on her handicap debut, and Corniche Girl may be able to win given three pounds by Alec Voikhansky, but Flash Rascal could be at a workable mark if taking to the all-weather surface.
The first novice race follows, for two-year-olds over a mile (5.45). We have a big field here of 15 horses, most of which are newcomers, so this is a tough race to judge. Michael Bell’s Timber Twelve won over this trip at Kempton on his debut by an impressive margin, so he might be involved again. Cotai Lights represents a stable doing well with two-year-olds, so could be in with an each-way chance from stall eight.
Race four is a mile handicap (6.15). Nine-year-old veteran Lyndon B could be down to a very workable mark now, but his limited all-weather form makes little appeal in comparison to his turf record. Sir Mark Prescott’s Threatening should have a chance, though, with good form on the all-weather at Wolverhampton off a pound higher. Having had a break, he could be the one under Luke Morris.
Next is a seven-furlong novice (6.45). The most exposed of the five runners is Roger Teal’s Freddie’s Star, who has placed on each of his three outings so far. Beaten just a short head last time over course and distance, he is a key player this time around. The form of the others suggests there should be little standing in his way, unless one of them has drastically improved.
A six-furlong handicap follows (7.15). Mick Appleby’s Lipsink has recently completed a hat-trick, and starts here four pounds higher in the weights than last time. Drawn in stall 11, he may find this too much to repeat winning form. Ian Williams’ Giant should be able to place, but probably needs to come down the handicap to win again, and Dylan Cunha’s Valley Ofthe Kings could be in luck, representing a yard in good order.
The penultimate race is a five-furlong handicap (7.45). Ridden by Ryan Moore’s son Toby, who claims seven pounds, Mart looks to be in with a real chance having been beaten just a neck last time out. Staying on the same mark here with Toby Moore’s seven pounds in hand, he could be the winner here. Rae Guest’s Heaven Knows must also enter considerations, though, with the bang in-form Hector Crouch riding.
Last of all is a 10-furlong handicap (8.15). Renesmee might be able to go well, now back onto her last winning mark and ridden by seven-pound claimer Kyle McHugh, who rode her to victory back in August at Lingfield. A better option may prove to be Duffus Castle, though, who went close over this trip in September at Newcastle and may go well from the bottom of the handicap.
Chelmsford selections – Thursday:
4.45 – Captain Cairney
5.15 – Flash Rascal
5.45 – Cotai Lights e/w
6.15 – Threatening
6.45 – Freddie’s Star
7.15 – Valley Ofthe Kings
7.45 – Mart
7.45 – Duffus Castle
