Sky Bet Sunday Series tips: selections for every race at Chelmsford

Following sunny late-afternoons at Musselburgh and Newmarket, the Sky Bet Sunday Series rolls on to Essex as Chelmsford hosts its first ever meeting in the ever-popular series which has now delivered more than £4m in additional prizemoney since its launch in 2021.  

So far there has been an even spread of winning trainers, with David O’Meara’s double in week two drawing him level with Iain Jardine who enjoyed the same level of success in week one. In terms of jockeys, Hector Crouch and Shane Gray lead the way, also on two winners apiece as they chase the inaugural Jorvik Shield which will offer a £25,000 first prize for the rider who picks up most points across the series. 

With Crouch riding at Nottingham on Sunday, and Gray only having one ride - Mr Mistoffelees in the Sky Bet Proud To Support RoR Handicap at 6.45 - there could be a change at the top of the leaderboard and the man who could make the biggest move is Jim Crowley. 

Crowley’s strong trio of rides begins with the well-treated Pressure’s On in the Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap (5.15). The Ed Dunlop-trained four-year-old won over C&D back in late-2023 and is only 4 lb higher here; he shaped as if he’d improve for the run at Kempton last time and should run a big race here if able to hold a prominent position from his wide draw. The obvious dangers are Sheriff’s Court (up in trip which should suit given his dam won over 1m2f), the consistent Signcastle City and the dangerously well-handicapped Silver Samurai. 

The pick of Crowley’s rides looks to be Ciara Pearl in the Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies' Handicap (6.15) who showed plenty of resolution when beating the reopposing Bowerchalke at Nottingham last month; a 3 lb rise may not be enough to stop her winning again from her low draw, especially with Lady Chartwell being the only other confirmed front-runner in the field. Wisper, who should come on for her run at Ascot, and the unexposed trio of handicap debutantes She’s A Warrior, Likealot and Lady Kameko look the pick of the opposition. 

The third of Crowley’s rides is Shamrock Bay (6.45) who, like Ciara Pearl, is trained by Daniel and Claire Kubler. He shaped as if he retained plenty of ability when not beaten that far on his reappearance last month and is another who could attempt to make all for one of the best front-running jockeys in the business. Unfortunately, the Timeform pace prediction of ‘very strong’ suggests that an easy lead is unlikely with Urban Sprawl, Coppersmith and Shimmering Spin all likely to go forward. The race could be set up for a finisher, then, with the best credentials held by Cephalus (who should be happier back over this trip and is 10/25 on the all-weather) ahead of recent Kempton eye-catcher Glam Squad. 

The meeting as a whole gets underway at 3.45 with less experienced riders hoping to land the Enter ITV7 For Free Apprentice Handicap. Northcliff’s progress in 2025 has been very impressive and he commands plenty of respect having only tired late on last time, but preference is for Musical Touch who seemed to find the seventh furlong stretching him when fifth at York last month; this looks an easier assignment now back in trip. Rebel Path had plenty of these (including Northcliff) behind him when winning at HQ last time and is respected under a 7lb rise, while hold-up horse Jesse Luc is respected in his hat-trick bid with a wide stall unlikely to trouble given his style of running. 

Our Cody has also been done no favours by the draw in the Sky Bet Club Restricted Maiden Stakes (4.15) but she shaped nicely on debut (when sent off favourite) and she should relish this extra distance being a half-sister to the Italian six-furlong two-year-old winner Wangari. Her trainer Richard Hughes appears to have focused on success here (22% strike-rate and a level stakes profit of +85.65) and she gets the nod over Caitrinho, who caught the eye when running on for third at Newmarket on debut, and Venetian Lace, who looks the pick of the newcomers. 

Hughes and jockey Finley Marsh could also team up for success with Road To Wembley in the following Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (4.45). I’ll resist the puns with the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned gelding, instead focusing on the horse’s battling second to Clockmaker at Doncaster last time out. He has a good strike-rate on the all-weather and is fancied to see off the likes of Almudena, Tipsy Tiger, Environment Amigo and Trouville, all of whom are conceding match fitness. As a result, the consistent Kitty Furnival may prove to be the biggest danger with this longer trip likely to be within range. 

Finally, the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap at 5.45 looks a good opportunity for Spring is Sprung to take another step towards the £100,000 bonus on offer to the connections of the first horse to win three races across the series. He had several of these rivals behind him when making all at Newmarket last time and this course should suit his attacking style. Contrastingly, Agostino came from off the pace when winning over C&D last time and is respected given his fine course record (3-2-4-1-3-1-10-1-2-1), while Diamond Dreamer also has a good book of form here and rates a big threat. The in-form pair of Nogo’s Dream and South Parade also make the shortlist.