20:45 Chelmsford City

Thursday 6 April 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Ladies Day 22nd June Buy Tickets Handicap

Off time: 20:46 | Winning time: 1m 10.66s

(6)

Lightning Charlie¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 87

7/2

Winner of three races on this surface over today's trip. Performed with credit in defeat towards the end of last season and champion jockey has been booked to ride. Best form has been shown after a couple of runs.

Form: 5222-22

(4)

Captain Lars^v⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Martin Lane| T: D Shaw| OR: 80

5/1

Winner of 10 races including a win here on Saturday over 5f. That has appeared his best trip of late and a 6lb penalty makes this even tougher.

Form: 352431

(8)

Brother Tiger²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 83

16/1

Dropping down the weights but has not offered much encouragement in the process. Stable's horses have been going better lately though and jockey booking (only ride on the card) catches the eye.

Form: 070-070

(5)

Nouvelli Dancer¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 81

25/1

In form for Ivan Furtado last summer winning at Chelmsford and Epsom. Best form has been over 7f-1m but drops in distance here having not lasted that far in recent races.

Form: 157-789

(3)

Quick Look¹⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Nathan Evans⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 80

5/2

Won on debut for William Jarvis last season. Only poor run came here when cheekpieces were fitted. Has first run for new yard and a market check is advised.

Form: 3304-87

(2)

Fujin^v²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett⁽⁵⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 80

8/1

In tremendous form this winter bagging three lower grade races here and at Lingfield. Handicapper appeared to have his measure until proving otherwise last month and the runner-up boosted the form next time. Has something to prove again but continues to defy the odds.

Form: 651173

(7)

Athassel¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 77

14/1

Looking for his seventh win since joining David Evans. Needs to be delivered late but was set a difficult task from a poor draw last time. Has gone well for this rider in the past including a C&D win. Dangerous to dismiss this admirable horse but handicapper may have his measure now.

Form: 136641

(9)

Vimy Ridge³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: A Bailey| OR: 74

12/1

Has not won since scoring here in July 2015. Has three wins from 48 starts but is usually involved in a finish. Has not been beaten that far in recent races and that is not allowing the handicapper to cut him any slack. The extra furlong and likely strong pace from Nouvelli Dancer could enhance his prospects.

Form: 4-25349

(1)

Vallarta⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 72

6/1

Appeared to be coming back to form off this mark at Southwell last week. Has proven form on all surfaces and yard's horses have been going well recently. A strongly run race at this trip looks ideal and he should get that today.

Form: 50-6333

Forecasts

Quick Look (5/2), Lightning Charlie (7/2), Captain Lars (5/1), Vallarta (6/1), Fujin (8/1), Vimy Ridge (12/1), Athassel (14/1), Brother Tiger (16/1), Nouvelli Dancer (25/1)

VALLARTA made a bold bid to make all at Southwell last week and that run showed he was approaching his peak. He was a winner from this mark at Ayr last season and with the trainer's horses running well over the past week he could be the answer to a tricky race. It is anticipated that Nouvelli Dancer will set the pace in this which will help the selection and also Vimy Ridge and Lightning Charlie. Both like to come from off a strong pace. Vimy Ridge has a fitness advantage on his side and has been threatening to win soon. The topweight has always produced his best form after a couple of runs and Fujin may be a bigger threat given his current wellbeing. David Griffiths saddles Nouvelli Dancer and Brother Tiger with good riders on board. A market move for either would be interesting.