CHELMSFORD Racecourse: preview and tips as Essex track comes to the rescue as cold weather continues to affect British racing fixtures.
An added bonus arrives this weekend as Chelmsford Racecourse hosts its second card of the week on Saturday afternoon as the track continues to come to the rescue of racing fans looking for some of the sport to watch.
The all-weather surface at the track has come into its own this week as racing across Britain has been hit by a cold snap and many meetings have fallen foul but the British Horseracing Authority announced earlier this week that an extra card will be hosted by Chelmsford, which also happens to be celebrating its tenth anniversary since re-opening its doors.
Read below to discover the latest tips and a full preview of Chelmsford’s card on Saturday courtesy of Sporting Life.
The opening contest on the card is Essex is a restricted novice stakes in class five over the mile trip (12.55). War And Love shaped well amidst considerable greenness when third at Lingfield last week and seemingly the sort to improve markedly with that initial experience under her belt, Sir Mark Prescott’s filly gets the nod at the expense of Spirit of Jura, who should be able to build on a couple of promising Wolverhampton efforts.
A field of ten will head to the stalls for race two on the card (1.30) for the one mile and six furlong class five handicap. Carlton has thrived since joining the James Owen yard, overcoming a lack of pace in the race to complete a course and distance hat-trick on Thursday, and he looks to hold leading claims under a penalty. Sullivan Bay also arrives in good heart and could be the main danger, with four-time course winner Tradesman completing the shortlist.
Race three of the afternoon is a seven furlong handicap in class six and 12 horses are set to tackle the contest (2.10). Ravensbourne has been shaping up well back in the care of one of her former trainers in Michael Keady and she tops the shortlist off a career-low mark. Rising Force and Windsor Pass continue to hold their form well and they head the threats.
A class three handicap worth a cool £20,936 to the winner is the feature race on Chelmsford’s card this weekend and is race four of the day at 2.40. Eagle Day is thriving all of a sudden in the hands of trainer David Evans and had a bit to spare at Wolverhampton last time, so he’s worth a chance to complete the hat-trick from a low draw despite stepping up into a more competitive handicap. Quiet Resolve is an obvious danger and Apiarist is another one who would be well positioned.
More good prize money is on offer in the class three handicap over six furlongs to mark race five on Saturday (3.15) with £18,319 heading the way of the victor. Batal Dubai has made a positive start for new connections, trained by Jack Morland, and remains potentially well treated after a 2lb rise for his narrow success at Lingfield last time out. We Never Stop has thrived on the all weather of late and is next best ahead of Amazonian Dream, who is back down in class having won four times in 12 runs last year.
A division one classified stakes over six furlongs in class six is race six at Chelmsford (3.52) where My Turn Now rates the pick at these weights so is fancied to add to her November course success, at the chief expense of C&D winner Lilkia, while division two of the same discipline (4.27) can go the way of Linda Perratt’s Bernie The Bear, who is on a long losing run but holds the edge on the form of his good Southwell second last week so looks the way to go.
Finally, the card comes to a close this weekend with a class six handicap over six furlongs (5.00) and 11 runners will head to the start to take it on. Cut To The Chase remains unexposed as a sprinter and can make it two wins from his last three, continuing the Tony Carroll yard’s excellent run of form. Things didn’t pan out for Poetic Jack last time and he can bounce back.
Chelmsford selections – Saturday
12.55 – War And Love
1.30 – Carlton
2.10 – Ravensbourne
2.40 – Eagle Day
3.15 – Batal Dubai
3.52 – My Turn Now
4.27 – Bernie The Bear
5.00 – Cut To The Chase
