THERE’S more all-weather racing at Chelmsford Racecourse this Thursday and the evening’s card hosts eight races, featuring a Class Two series final, which is worth over £20,000 to the winner.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Chelmsford card, courtesy of BOYLE Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.
We begin with a mile novice for two-year-olds (5.00). Willie Haggas’ Windbreaker should be worth some attention after a midfield finish having run green on debut, and he could do much better today, while Sea Brave has a promising pedigree too for a stable doing well with juveniles on the all-weather. It’s John and Thady Gosden’s strike rate in this class of race which is hard to look past again, though, and their well-bred newcomer Saxon Street should take the beating.
Race two is a nursery handicap run over seven furlongs (5.30). Far Too Fizzy was a close second last time out over a furlong less on the same mark, so should be a big player here with the extra distance to travel. With James Owen’s horses in such good present form, his Rogue Icon could be at the sharp end too, now down two pounds from his last start.
A five-furlong nursery handicap is next (6.00). This is a weak race with a number of the runners being tried over this minimum trip for the first time having failed to shine over longer distances. Dylan Cunha’s horses are going well, though, and his runner Kuiama could run a nice race under Sean Levey.
The fourth race is a five-furlong novice (6.30). We have a field of five three-year-olds here, three of which have placed previously; Middleton View, Lady Of Killarney and Raveena. None of these three have been tried over the minimum trip yet, though. Drawn on the inside, Richard Hannon’s Thecoffeepoddotco could be the one to win this, coming in fresh having run some nice races in the spring.
Next is a five-furlong handicap (7.00). Course and distance winner Shalaa Asker should be competitive, as the sort to run a better race up in class and down in weight, while Buraback could be involved too. He is at the same mark and drawn in the same stall as his latest course and distance win, so cannot be ignored. Hayley’s Burton’s horses are in better form, though, so her Bluebells Boy might be the one to succeed here.
Race six is the feature Class Two six-furlong handicap (7.30). After placing over course and distance last time out off a pound higher, Em Four could get involved and pick up some each-way money, while Mesaafi has come nicely down the weights and should be in the running for the win too. Course and distance winner Tyger Bay also ought to be very competitive at his mark, but Mesaafi likely has the best chance.
Second to last is a seven-furlong handicap (8.00). Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Calyoh is a consistent sort who could run to a place off his current mark, but it’s hard to oppose the topweight, RIchard Fahey’s Uncle Don. This three-year-old is down to a career low mark after a good run last time out at Lingfield, and has seven pounds from his rider to boot.
The finale is a 10-furlong handicap (8.30). Hinchinbrooke is another for Jane Chapple-Hyam who can go well, equipped with first-time cheekpieces and nicely drawn in three, while Ian Willliams’ Parlando should be able to go close off this new low mark. Making her handicap debut here, though, is Willie Haggas’ Digub, who won well over a mile last time but is bred for further. A full sister to Group One Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars, she could become the class act now.
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Chelmsford selections – Thursday:
5.00 – Saxon Street
5.30 – Far Too Fizzy
6.00 – Kuiama
6.30 – Thecoffeepoddotco
7.00 – Bluebells Boy
7.30 – Mesaafi
8.00 – Uncle Don
8.30 – Digub
