Chris Dixon's Notes And Angles: Chelmsford pace bias worth noting

It was good to see Zim Baby win at Windsor on Monday after being mentioned as a horse to keep on side in the short-term following an encouraging return at Doncaster and on the back of that win, I suspect that the horse she beat, Inver Park, is going to have a good season following his switch to George Boughey. He’s one for the tracker but don’t expect any fancy prices about him next time.

In addition to Inver Park, here’s a quartet of horses to add to your racingtv.com tracker for the early part of the season and a race I think has a good chance of being a good source of future winners.

Trainer: Neil King.

Lifetime Legend was extremely unfortunate not to win over hurdles at Doncaster in February but showed he was none the worse for that fall when returning to the Flat at Leicester last week. A solid third behind an improving winner and well-handicappd runner-up, he looked like a horse who would benefit from a step up in trip to 14f+ and if given the opportunity in such a race, he should be up to defying his mark.

Trainer: James Horton.

Il Bandito was extremely consistent last season and suggested he may have a bit more to offer this term for new connections on his promising reappearance run at Redcar. Travelling well close to the good pace, he kicked for home a good way out and although he was overtaken at the furlong pole by a couple of well-handicapped and race-fit rivals, he came home in third. A mile on testing ground just appeared to stretch him and he looks the type to be better back over 7f, or at least an easier mile, so he’ll be of interest under those circumstances next time.

Trainer: Tim Easterby.

Out of the same race as Il Bandito, Boardman is also one to note for future targets. Progressive during the early part of last season, he became a little inconsistent in the later part of the year but dropped in the weights as a result and starts the new season on an appealing mark. Not seen to best effect from a wide draw at Redcar, he kept on nicely without being given too hard a time and, given that Tim Easterby’s horses often improve plenty for their return, he looks like a horse who could do well again over the next couple of months when getting the strong pace he needs to be seen to best effect.

Trainer: Mark Loughnane.

Having shaped with bits of promise during his qualifying runs, Fristel had the look of a possible improver following a short break at Windsor on Monday and would have shown improved form plus gone close under different circumstances. Dropped out early, he travelled well enough over this shorter trip but had to pick his way through before getting in the clear and ended up too far back. The way he finished off was extremely eyecatching and he’s one to keep onside in a similar level of handicap, perhaps back at 6f.

Hilts did well to win at Redcar on Monday given how much ground he had to make up inside the last couple of furlongs and the winning margin masked his superiority, so he looks one to follow. His effort looks all the more meritorious given those he was running down also appeal as pretty well treated, with the first six home all of some interest off their current marks, given the right set of circumstances.

After a few weeks without racing at Chelmsford, the track was back in action last week, but there was a huge pace bias at play on the eight-race card. As such, you’d forgive any horse if they were below form from off the pace, including Cuban Breeze who was unable to land a third win since joining David Evans but ran an excellent race in defeat and can get back on the up given a level playing field.