Free horse racing preview from Jamie Maynard | Chelmsford tips: Bay of plenty...

20:37 · THU December 07, 2017

Our all-weather expert Jamie Maynard advised Newcastle winner Gallifrey at 11/2 on Wednesday - don't miss his three picks for Chelmsford on Thursday evening.

5.25 preview - Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com Nursery Handicap

Click here for full racecard & free video form

Mother Of Dragons has finished runner-up here the last twice since switching to nurseries and remains on the same mark here but this is a tougher race and the drop back to five furlongs might not suit. Alaskan Bay has been sent off at large odds on her four career starts but her latest effort on handicap debut was much better and she’s been left alone by the handicapper for this. The selection however is the only one with winning form in the field, MAGIC PULSE at 3/1 (General), for David Griffiths. She ended her time at Ann Duffield’s with a solid second placed effort on Kempton’s polytrack and began life at her new stable with a course and distance victory. She’s been raised 5lb for that success last time out and this two-year old looks the type to improve on that now having gained that first success and Dougie Costello keeps the ride, looks the one to beat here.

8.00 preview - Bet toteWin At betfred.com Handicap (Div 1)

Click here for full racecard & free video form

The first division of this class 6 being run over a mile and a quarter and it’s recent course and distance winner HUDDERSFILLY TOWN who is the selection for me at 11/4 (General). This three-year old filly put some modest efforts behind her when bounding clear here in the hands of Phillip Makin who maintains the ride this evening. A 6lb rise is fair but having gained that first success there could be more to come from the three-year old with the cheekpieces retained after working wonders last week and she can account for former course winner Arcadian Sea who usually runs his race but struggled slightly last time from a higher mark and may be worth opposing for win purposes here. Chaucers Tale won over track and trip at last week’s meeting and holds claims as he remains on the same mark having won an apprentices’ race so is entitled to get involved if in the same mood for a trainer who enjoys his visits to the Essex track, but it’s the daughter of Major Cadeaux who can land the double for Ivan Furtado who’s strike-rate at present is 35% in the last month.

8.30 preview - Bet toteWin At betfred.com Handicap (Div 2)

Click here for full racecard & free video form

The second division doesn’t look as competitive as the first and there’s only two previous winners in the line-up. The one who catches the eye at first glance is Victoriously who goes in search of a hat-trick for Andi Brown who doesn’t have many runners. His victories came at Wolverhampton in November of last year before successful in April at Lingfield this year. He returns from another absence but must be feared if fully wound up from a 6lb higher mark, the market could be a good indication to his chances. Richard Guest’s Hediddodinthe looks likely to be going off at short odds on the back of a close second over track and trip as the winner that day has since franked the form and he’s only 2lb higher. However, some of you may think I’ve gone mad but I like the chances of George Peckham’s three-year old gelding ZOFFANY BAY at 20/1 (William Hill 1,2,3). He’s not been that convincing so far but did post his best effort over this trip at Lingfield in a 0-70 handicap where there has been two future winners from that race and this is a less demanding contest. It’s also worth noting that this horse competed in a Derby trial in April which was won by multiple group winner Cracksman and although beaten 17 lengths in last place connections must have thought he has the ability. They’ve reached for the cheekpieces now and in the hope that they can have an effect first time he could shock a few people in this for a trainer who has had past success at this track.