19:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 11 January 2018

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

Bet toteexacta At betfred.com Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 3m 30.59s

(2)

Western Way²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: A Kirby| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 62| BF| D

3/1

Useful over hurdles but hasn't really translated that back on the Flat as yet, surface fine but takes a big step up in trip here and goes without usual; headgear too. Best watched unless there's significant market support.

Form: 9007/28-

(8)

Sisania¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 60

20/1

Just the one inw in 15 starts, and switched back to the Flat after some poor efforts over hurdles lately. Seemed to act on this surface when making debut here in 2016 but positives hard to find, and others preferred.

Form: 56836/

(6)

Spiritoftomintoul²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: A W Carroll| OR: 60| D

9/2

Acts on the surface and stays this trip, but only two wins from 41 starts rather tells it's own tale and despite a decent effort last time out, yard can't buy a winner at present. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 755583-

(4)

Madame Claud^p1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: M Dwyer| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 58

50/1

Go back to 2016 and she wasn't beaten far over C&D in a similar contest to this, but it's been all downhill since then and she's been well beaten over hurdles lately. Cheekpieces given a try, and if they work, she could go okay at a price.

Form: 89713/0-

(7)

Caracas³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S Donohoe| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 62

4/1

Yet to win in eight starts, but went close to rectifying that when beaten a length at Kempton over this trip in November. Couldn't repeat that next time, but is at least open to a bit of improvement, and on that must be given a chance here.

Form: 688427-

(3)

Sea's Aria²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: M R Hoad| OR: 50| D

4/1

No win machine, just the 2 wins in 35 starts but not totally disgraced on first run for this yard when plugging on into midfield at Kempton (2m) and if building on that, holds place chances at least in a very moderate event.

Form: 16/8547-

(5)

Too Many Shots⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Best| OR: 53

4/1

Worth a try at this trip based on his staying-on third here over 2f shorter in September, but needs to put a couple of poor efforts since them behind him and now has questions to answer on that score.

Form: 433207-

(1)

Topalova^b¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Joey Haynes| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 47

12/1

Mainly moderate stuff but two efforts over this C&D last year saw her in the frame both times, not beaten far, and she seems to come alive under these conditions. Given 0-17 record, more likely to place, but chance if ready to go after a break.

Form: 725370-

Forecasts

Western Way (3/1), Too Many Shots (4/1), Caracas (4/1), Sea's Aria (4/1), Spiritoftomintoul (9/2), Topalova (12/1), Sisania (20/1), Madame Claud (50/1)

There's not much pace on here, which only adds to the confusion, and caution is advised. IN the hope that she comes back fit off a break, TOPALOVA is given the vote as this track and trip seems to bring out the best in her. In an open race, she could be worth a small bet. Sea's Arla looks most likely to take them along and might come on a bit after a reasonable first effort for the yard first time. She can take some prizemoney home, along with Caracas.