15:40 Chelmsford City

Friday 9 February 2018

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:45

toteswinger Two In The First Three Handicap

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 2m 8.44s

(1)

Echo Brava¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: T J Murphy| T: J & S Best| OR: 77

33/1

Seven-times winner who toiled on his return from 16 months off here last month but took a step forward when only beaten 6L at Lingfield next time. Eased in class here and entitled to a second look.

Form: 1524/77

(6)

Shamrokh^p,t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 75| C

7/4

An early winner for John Gosden who has taken time to come to hand for this yard but swooped late to win an apprentices' handicap over 1m here last week. Stays this longer trip, so obvious claims off the same mark.

Form: 249-231

(4)

Golden Nectar²¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 75

16/1

Kempton maiden winner at two but only mid-division in two handicaps on turf last year, most recently over 1m2f. Fitness query to answer after seven months off but remains with potential and interesting jockey booking.

Form: 213/55-

(7)

King Kevin^b³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 72| CD

4/1

Has thrived since switched to the AW this winter, making it four wins from his last five starts when winning at Wolverhampton (extended 1m1f) despite leaving himself with a lot to do. Hard to rule out despite a further 6lb rise.

Form: 31121-1

(5)

Red Hot Chilly¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: F O'Brien| OR: 70

3/1

Remains winless after 17 career starts, including over hurdles, but ran well to finish a staying-on fourth over 1m4f at Kempton last month. Current mark looks workable but drop in trip may be against him.

Form: 5433/3-4

(8)

The Third Man⁴¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: H Spiller| OR: 68

25/1

Never really fulfilled the early promise he showed for John Gosden but did win off a much higher mark on the AW in 2015 and was competitive towards the end of 2016. Big ask here after 13 months off, however.

Form: 852849/

(2)

Lazarus^t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J Mitchell| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 68| CD

6/1

Opened his account at the ninth attempt when lunging late to win over C&D last month (3lb lower mark) but was well-held under a penalty at Newcastle next time. Career-best effort required.

Form: 002-316

(3)

Hard Toffee¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: L Allan| OR: 63| BF

5/1

Twice a winner over 1m3f on turf but yet to win on the AW in seven attempts and found Lazarus 1¼L too good over C&D last time. Looks closely-matched with that rival on 3lb better terms but improvement required.

Form: 54544-3

Forecasts

Shamrokh (7/4), Red Hot Chilly (3/1), King Kevin (4/1), Hard Toffee (5/1), Lazarus (6/1), Golden Nectar (16/1), The Third Man (25/1), Echo Brava (33/1)

King Kevin is running out of his skin right now and even a further 6lb hike for his most recent Wolverhampton success may not be enough to anchor him, though SHAMROKH may just prove too tough. Michael Appleby has been getting an increasingly better tune out of the former John Gosden inmate of late and he escapes punishment for winning an apprentices event over 1m here last week. The lightly-raced Golden Nectar looks the most interesting of the remainder with Adam Kirby an eyecatching booking.