18:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 11 January 2018

All17:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Bet toteJACKPOT At betfred.com Handicap

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 25.47s

(5)

Cainhoe Star³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carson| T: A Carson| OR: 77| CD

4/1

Takes a drop in grade here (and went close last time he raced in it) after not being beaten far at Southwell last time, proven over C&D and although high enough in the weights now, this still looks a suitable opportunity. May yet improve again.

Form: 623184-

(1)

Espresso Freddo^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: R Stephens| OR: 76| D

11/4

Has the odd good run on the card, as when a close fourth at Lingfield last time out, but inconsistent and not one to fully rely on. Drops back in trip again and likely to try and force the pace, which is where his chance may lie.

Form: 200504-

(9)

Zoravan^v³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 75| D

40/1

Very well handicapped on the best of his form but it's some while since he's shown any of that, well beaten again at Newcastle on latest start and hard to fancy in current form.

Form: 768000-

(7)

Arnarson^p⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 69| D

5/2

Had been threatening to win one and came good at Wolverhampton last time out, winning easily and no surprise to see him out under a penalty before handicapper has his say. Has form here too, and every chance of following up.

Form: 29253-1

(2)

Native Soldier^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D C Costello| T: J L Flint| OR: 72| D

25/1

Winner at Newbury in July but form fell right away and was well beaten when last seen out. Cheekpieces given a try now but they need to have a major effect if he's to get involved. Others readily make more appeal.

Form: 014000-

(6)

Murdanova⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 71| D

5/1

First run for new yard (who are going a little better recently) and did go close at Wolverhampton over 7f in October, so conditions probably fine, but well beaten when last seen out in November and may need this. Market may give a clue.

Form: 236530-

(3)

Amazing Grazing^e/s⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: R C Guest| OR: 68| D

7/1

Drop back to this trip worked the oracle at Newcastle in September, and has run with credit since then. Not beaten far at Southwell last time and step back up to 7f will suit. Likely there's more to come and not discounted.

Form: 35714-3

(4)

Out Of The Ashes³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: S M Levey| T: M Moubarak| OR: 65| CD

10/1

Has some good runs over C&D to his name but hasn't done much since coming back from his autumn break, finishing well down the field here twice. Current wellbeing now in question and it's not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 667207-

Non-Runners

(8)

Paradise Lake¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: E Walker J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Arnarson (5/2), Espresso Freddo (11/4), Paradise Lake (7/2), Cainhoe Star (4/1), Murdanova (5/1), Amazing Grazing (7/1), Out Of The Ashes (10/1), Native Soldier (25/1), Zoravan (40/1)

In a race full of ifs and buts, ARNARSON has some solid form to call upon, including last time out, and is taken to follow up his Wolverhampton success. Cainhoe Star should appreciate being in calmer waters and can prove the main danger, with Amazing Grazing rounding out the three.