17:50 Chelmsford City

Thursday 9 February 2017

All17:5018:2519:0019:3020:0020:30

Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:51 | Winning time: 2m 6.18s

(4)

Celtic Artisan^b,t³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 54

11/8

C&D winner who got his head back in front at Wolverhampton last time out. Now operating at 6lb above his highest winning Flat mark as a result though and that could be enough to anchor him for now.

Form: 811415

(9)

Tyrsal¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Kevin Lundie| T: C Lines| OR: 57

6/1

Never managed to place in five starts here but down to his last winning mark at least. Inconsistent performer generally and disappointing last time out at Kempton so looks opposable in this.

Form: 40-3708

(6)

Dor's Law¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Lulu Stanford| T: D K Ivory| OR: 57

12/1

Still a maiden after eight starts and seems to be regressing recently. Two recent performances at Wolverhampton particularly disappointing and may be fractionally better switched back to turf later in the year.

Form: 5632-87

(10)

The Dukkerer¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J G Given| OR: 55

10/1

15 starts since last win and has a record of just one win from 23 on the AW so there would appear to be more like winners when taking his wide draw into consideration. Talented claimer booked at least.

Form: 604821

(8)

Nouvelle Ere^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 54

8/1

Has had an interrupted career since the spring of 2016 but bounced back last time at Wolverhampton, albeit having the run of the race somewhat. Has won over C&D and is on a workable mark so he should be thereabouts if he builds on that last performance.

Form: 281847

(11)

Hydrant¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R C Guest| OR: 54

20/1

Nine time winner on turf but just one win from 25 starts on AW and his form recently has been particularly disappointing, shaping as if amiss last time. Has it all to prove and needs to defy a wide draw also.

Form: 574092

(12)

Hold Firm¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 54

11/1

In good form around this time last year but tad below his best of late and no obvious excuses last time at Wolverhampton and probably better over shorter than this distance.

Form: 116563

(3)

General Tufto^b¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: C Smith| OR: 52

9/1

Gutsy veteran who usually gives his running, especially around Southwell where he's won 15 times. Unlikely to be as effective around here though and tends to be better over a mile so may be seen to better effect dropped back in trip.

Form: 722346

(14)

Breakheart^b³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 52

25/1

Undoubtedly well handicapped on old form but has failed to even place on last eleven starts and today's draw makes things tougher.

Form: 8-69200

(5)

Bridge That Gap^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Rhiain Ingram| T: R Ingram| OR: 51

50/1

Useful AW performer on his day but not returned in the same form after a significant absence and more signs of encouragement needed before being considered for win purposes.

Form: 7026/58-

(1)

Mr Standfast¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Megan Nicholls| T: A Phillips| OR: 51

50/1

Barely beaten a rival home in four starts to date and trainers yet to have a Flat winner. Hard to fancy against rivals who have shown a great deal more.

Form: 00/9060-

(13)

Master Of Heaven^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Paddy Bradley| T: J R Boyle| OR: 50

16/1

C&D winner from a 2lb lower mark in a Class 7 handicap recently and the rise doesn't seem unfair but today's wide draw will make things tough and finished tailed off at Kempton last time.

Form: 796045

(7)

Flying Author^p,t⁶⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Jane Elliott| T: P S McEntee| OR: 47

33/1

Still a maiden after 25 starts and out of form when last seen nearly two years ago. Likely to need this after the significant absence and hard to recommend.

Form: 06/3073

Non-Runners

(2)

Somepink⁶⁹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: D M Loughnane J: Toby Eley

Forecasts

Celtic Artisan (11/8), Tyrsal (6/1), Nouvelle Ere (8/1), General Tufto (9/1), The Dukkerer (10/1), Hold Firm (11/1), Dor's Law (12/1), Master Of Heaven (16/1), Hydrant (20/1), Breakheart (25/1), Flying Author (33/1), Bridge That Gap (50/1), Mr Standfast (50/1), Somepink (50/1)

NOUVELLE ERE bounced back to form last time out and has a course and distance win to his name so he should be able to put up a good show once again. Celtic Artisan is the only last time out winner in the line up but he may find life a little tougher off his new mark. Breakheart has been in poor form of late but he has at least shown he's capable of scoring off this mark in the past. 1. Nouvelle Ere 2. Celtic Artisan 3. Breakheart