20:45 Chelmsford City

Thursday 21 December 2017

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

Alexandra And Sofia Baby Texo Handicap

Off time: 20:47 | Winning time: 1m 12.30s

(1)

Pulsating^p⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 50| BF| D

5/4

Has performed well on both starts for current trainer, winning the latest of them at Wolverhampton. Turned out under a 6lb penalty and looks a major player.

Form: 700721

(4)

Only Ten Per Cent^v³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 50| D

28/1

On a long, losing sequence, but shaped reasonably after a break last time and is 2lb lower. Others have more convincing profiles.

Form: 857887

(7)

Naralsaif^v²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 49

8/1

Still looking for her first win after eight starts, but has suggested a win is just around the corner on one or two occasions, including when second of 13 at Newcastle last time. Up 3lb, but is one to consider.

Form: 036062

(13)

Tea El Tee^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 49

40/1

Won over 5f at Yarmouth in the summer, but has shown little in four subsequent starts. Hard to fancy until displaying signs of a revival.

Form: 218890

(12)

Irish Sky^t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: H Spiller| OR: 49

20/1

Not without signs of ability in four starts, she tries her luck in a handicap for the first time. Connections reach for a tongue tie and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in her favour.

Form: 7383

(10)

Head Space^t,v⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: B Barr| OR: 48| D

33/1

Veteran of 108 races, winning nine of them, but has struggled in recent outings and it is hard to make a form argument in his favour. Readily opposed.

Form: 603788

(6)

La Fortuna¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Wallis| OR: 48

14/1

No wins, but two runner-up spots in seven starts. Mid-division over C&D last time and could do better off 2lb lower.

Form: 22-8906

(3)

Olaudah¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: H Candy| OR: 47

15/8

Irish import who made a pleasing debut for this stable when fourth of 13 over C&D earlier this month with La Fortuna behind. Well backed that day and looks ready to run a big race this time.

Form: 052804

(11)

Silver Springs⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 47| CD

50/1

C&D winner, but has been completely out of sorts on her last four starts in which she has failed to beat a rival. Needs a complete turnaround if she is to figure.

Form: 489070

(5)

Black Truffle^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 47| BF| D

5/1

Has been running consistently well without getting his head in front. Drop to 6f from 7f may not be ideal and he is opposable on balance.

Form: 484332

(14)

Captain Scooby^b⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: R C Guest| OR: 45| CD

16/1

Has run an amazing 205 times, winning 18 races. Not at his best recently and draw on the wide outside is offputting.

Form: 659578

(2)

Bubbly Bailey^v⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Gina Mangan| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 45| D

66/1

Ran a sound race to be second of nine over 5f at this track in March, but was last of nine when last seen at Kempton in October. Up in trip and not difficult to oppose.

Form: 0-92989

Non-Runners

(9)

Jan Steen¹⁰⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: J F Levins J: Donagh O'Connor

(8)

Caledonian Gold³⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: P W D'Arcy J: R Winston

Forecasts

Pulsating (5/4), Olaudah (15/8), Black Truffle (5/1), Naralsaif (8/1), Jan Steen (10/1), Caledonian Gold (12/1), La Fortuna (14/1), Captain Scooby (16/1), Irish Sky (20/1), Only Ten Per Cent (28/1), Head Space (33/1), Tea El Tee (40/1), Silver Springs (50/1), Bubbly Bailey (66/1)

Holes can be picked in most of these, but OLAUDAH arrives with a promising first run for his stable under his belt and can take this from top-weight Pulsating who has to be feared under a penalty after his recent win. Naralsaif and La Fortuna look best of the rest.