Thursday tips: Ross Millar's two bets at Chelmsford

James Owen was undeniably one of the breakthrough stars amongst the training ranks in 2024, and I’m sure he could be forgiven for not wanting the year to end. Happily for him, it appears to be a case of ‘more of the same’ in 2025, as he already has four winners on the board, and is operating at an impressive strike-rate of 28 per cent.

Carlton had lost his way for his previous trainer, Tracy Waggott, but a change of scenery, combined with a falling handicap rating, has seen him rediscover some form.

Thanks to a smart piece of race planning, he landed both of his starts over course and distance for Owen in December, and although he had to work hard from some way out to win on the second occasion, but produced a powerful finish in the closing stages. 

It could be that having landed the first win after a 72-day absence, he was not at his best following a quick turnaround, but he's been given a three-week break since his latest run, and that should hopefully see him travel with more zest here.

Over a course and distance that clearly suits, he looks capable of landing a third win from a rating that is still 2lb below his highest winning mark of 57.

I’m sure Clare Hobson and connections were thrilled with how this son of Dawn Approach shaped on his stable debut after being purchased for just 2,000gns at the Autumn sales. Drawn widest of all over this course and distance, Marco Ghiani elected to settle him at the back of the field. 

He had plenty to do turning into the straight and was forced to challenge wide, but was still able to finish to good effect, and eventually finished a never-nearer second. This was an effort worthy of an upgrade as he didn’t help himself by hanging left on occasions, and the fact the early part of the race was run at just a moderate gallop meant the well-handicapped winner, Mighty Nebula, was well positioned.

A 2lb higher mark shouldn’t prove a hindrance to Auguste Lumiere, and being drawn in stall one should work to his advantage, as jockey Raul Da Silva should be able to gain a more prominent early position and therefore not need to forfeit so much ground on the turn for home.

He can confirm that it was 2,000gns well spent by landing this.