Saturday at Chelmsford: a tip for each race

Those with form in the book don’t set a particularly high standard and the three newcomers look unlikely candidates so this might not take much winning. Lovesick, the only winner in the field, isn’t sure to be suited by the step up to a mile given she raced quite keenly over 7f last time so take her on with WAR AND LOVE, who ran a race full of promise on debut and looks a surefire improver. She is bred to thrive on artificial surfaces. 

The in-form Carlton is the obvious starting point here but he’s a horse that has been ridden from off the pace for the most part and those tactics might be difficult to pull off in a race where there isn’t a great deal of pace on. Blue Sky Boy would be a big player if allowed a soft time on the front end but preference is for topweight TRADESMAN who ran so well in a better race than this at Southwell last time despite losing stacks of ground at the start. He’s not the best-handicapped horse in the race but he’s clearly got races in him off this sort of mark and, unlike most of his rivals, he’s been there and done it over course and distance.      

A rare beast - a Class 6 handicap worth 14k. Thomas Equinas has done all his winning at this track and is more than capable at this level while there is surely some improvement to come from Jaamir at some stage. However, the solid option is the in-form MASHAAN who remains perfectly well-treated, is well drawn and won’t mind the switch from Wolverhampton to Chelmsford. His prominent run style could be an advantage in yet another race in which there doesn’t appear to be many pace angles.

Fiercely competitive. Hat Toss was tempting given he now returns to the scene of his most recent success but his overall AW record isn’t that convincing. Eagle Day is flying right now and he’s won here but a career-high mark demands another step forward. URBAN SPRAWL has still to strike on the AW but he’s gone mighty close here in the past and there are no excuses from a handicapping perspective.

Batal Dubai will relish the return to 6f and his rookie trainer can do little wrong right now but WE NEVER STOP is drawn to attack from stall 3 and he’ll be a tough nut to pass providing he’s not forced into going a stride too fast early on. His form has gone to a new level since being switched to the AW this winter and there may well be more to come.

None of these are particularly solid. Global Effort’s best form is at Wolverhampton, My Turn Now is better over 5f and Lilkian is just not very reliable nowadays. A career record of 0-20 is an obvious red flag for CHIEDOZIE but he has a couple of pieces of form that would make him very hard to beat at this level and the application of new headgear might just enable him to put it all together.

Jesse Luc probably has a race like this in him while Bernie The Bear has been knocking at the door but a chance is taken on YOU ARE EVERYTHING, who ran well behind Havana Sky over this trip in November. That form has taken several boosts since, especially from the winner, and You Are Everything was anything but disgraced after blowing the start last time. Hopefully, this is the day she puts it all together.    

A few with possibilities in a tricky finale. Nordic Glory has been knocking loudly at the door of late but he ran badly on his sole previous visit to Chelmsford so preference is for LORD DANIELSON who burst into life over this course and distance last time. That was only an apprentice ‘hands and heels’ event but he showed real tenacity to get the job done that day and, from a good draw, he should once again be able to get himself into a good position to strike off the home bend.