19:40 Chelmsford City

Thursday 7 September 2017

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Bet toteexacta At betfred.com Handicap

Off time: 19:42 | Winning time: 2m 7.02s

(12)

Graceful James³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: K T O'Neill| T: J C Fox| OR: 82| CD

9/2

2-2 over this C&D, including last time out when winning in good style. Up 7lb but could potentially defy that rise, and has to be respected at a track and trip that clearly suit and with a jockey he gets on well with.

Form: 331-931

(13)

Classic Villager⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Dane O'Neill| T: D K Ivory| OR: 80| D

25/1

No win since completing a hat-trick in August 2015 but hasn't had all that much racing since; not at his best of late and never threatened when second over C&D two starts ago.

Form: 3/800-26

(3)

Sunglider^t,v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 79| D

10/1

Has been running creditably recently, including a victory three starts ago; not the worst overall strike-rate for this level of handicap and this seems to be his distance, but the surface is an unknown on his Polytrack debut.

Form: 570134

(7)

Jufn^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L P Keniry| T: J Butler| OR: 78| C| D

5/1

Won on debut at this course and also managed to get up in a Chepstow handicap in June. 3lb higher mark shouldn't be an issue but this seems to be a more competitive race.

Form: 674150

(10)

Boycie¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tina M Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 78| D

25/1

Has had plenty of racing for his age and broadly looks held by the handicapper, especially on this surface (he has won on Polytrack previously but generally seems to prefer turf). Others make more appeal.

Form: 412785

(6)

Dolphin Village^h¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 76| D

25/1

Hasn't impressed since switching to his current trainer from Jane Chappell-Hyam's. Would seem to have things his way based on his best form but hasn't been showing enough recently to inspire any confidence.

Form: 453877

(5)

Ice Dancing^h²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Louis Steward| T: M L W Bell| OR: 79

9/2

Lightly-raced type who has won two of her five starts, including at Wolverhampton last time out. Has learned to settle better in her races now and could still be capable of winning off her current mark.

Form: 19541

(4)

Bridge Of Sighs^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: L Carter| OR: 72| C| D

14/1

Solid effort on stable debut last time over a trip that may have been a little on the sharp side at Sandown (1m, soft), had looked held by the handicapper but of interest now in first time cheek pieces.

Form: 336343

(9)

Light Of Joy¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 78| D

8/1

Victory in a weak-looking Bath maiden in June has set her a difficult handicap mark to overcome early in her career, and though she went close at Leicester on handicap debut she never really threatened; on the same mark now.

Form: 831244

(11)

X Rated³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 78| D

10/1

Still 6lb higher than at the time of his most recent win, but went close in a small-field handicap two starts ago and a replication of that form would at least see him hit the frame in this race.

Form: 671525

(2)

The Gay Cavalier^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: J Mitchell| T: J Ryan| OR: 68| D

10/1

Consistent sort who has being running creditably recently without suggesting that a a seventh career win is imminent. Prefers all-weather to turf but could do with a few less pounds to carry before being given serious consideration again.

Form: 624453

(1)

Tan Arabiq²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 68

7/1

Not particularly impressive over shorter recently but has looked better over similar trips to this; 2lb higher than when winning at Wolverhampton in January but is tougher.

Form: 535-155

(8)

Ourmullion^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 73

20/1

Only career win to date came on Polytrack and he has also run some nice races at this course in the past; seems best on the all-weather but doubts remain as to whether this will be his trip going forward. Cheek pieces on.

Form: 212386

Forecasts

Ice Dancing (9/2), Graceful James (9/2), Jufn (5/1), Tan Arabiq (7/1), Light Of Joy (8/1), X Rated (10/1), The Gay Cavalier (10/1), Sunglider (10/1), Bridge Of Sighs (14/1), Ourmullion (20/1), Dolphin Village (25/1), Boycie (25/1), Classic Villager (25/1)

A relatively open-looking race where few can be easily discounted. GRACEFUL JAMES would have to defy top weight in order to claim victory here but clearly likes his course and is 2-2 over this C&D. Coupled with the fact he seems to still be progressing, and his effort last time was a career-best, he looks set to run another huge race here. Recent Wolverhampton scorer Ice Dancing and Bridge Of Sighs in first time cheek pieces are others to consider.